Credit Card Safety

Did you know that the average American family carries12 to 13 different credit cards? This kind of statistic makes it clear that, as a society, we rely on these cards for almost every service and product - using credit cards instead of carrying cash, purchasing airline tickets and reserving hotel rooms, renting cars, shopping for merchandise, dining out, or using them to keep track of daily expenses through online account services. Credit cards offer consumers unparalleled convenience, but with the positive side of carrying cards comes the very real concern about credit card safety.

Credit card safety begins with awareness

You should protect your credit card information vigilantly. Sadly, if given the chance, there are thieves - both online and in person - who try to gain access to your credit card information and can run up thousands of dollars in charges before you're aware that your cards have been compromised. With a little knowledge, you can protect yourself from the most common dangers in using your credit cards. Here are a few guidelines.

Credit card safety online

• Use credit cards with "zero liability"
• Keep your browser and antispyware/antivirus software updated
• Purchase only from merchants you trust
• Check merchant ratings to find reputable websites

General credit card safety tips

• Carry just one or two credit cards in your wallet or purse
• Don't let your credit card out of your sight when paying at retailers
• Don't give out credit card information over the phone
• Be suspicious of any emails asking for personal account information
• Check your credit card statements carefully each month for unauthorized charges
• Check your credit report regularly for fraudulent activity
• Report fraudulent charges to the credit card company immediately
• Report suspected identity theft to credit bureaus as quickly as possible

You'll find articles on this website detailing these subjects and more including how to keep your personal information private, how to take action to protect yourself from credit card fraud, and what to do if you find unauthorized activity on your card. By following a few basic guidelines on credit card safety and becoming aware of what to watch for, you can protect yourself from credit card fraud.

Keeping Your Information Private Online

For millions of consumers, the Internet provides access to information, shopping, banking, paying bills, and entertainment. But with every transaction over the Web, you make yourself vulnerable to online predators seeking your personal information to use fraudulently.

Protect Yourself from Credit Card Fraud

Concerns about credit card fraud permeate our society, creating unsettling images of thieves assuming your credit and financial identity, criminals sifting through your trash for credit card and bank information, unscrupulous sales clerks noting your credit card account numbers and charging on your cards, or dishonest scammers victimizing consumers on the Internet or calling your home phone to garner personal information. The list of dangers seems endless. And while you needn't fear using your credit cards, there is validity in the need to protect yourself when you do.

Take Action Against Fraudulent Credit Card Activity

You're looking at your monthly credit card statement and notice unfamiliar charges on the account. You've checked the receipts for that billing cycle and determined that you did not make the transactions. Chances are, you have just joined the ranks of credit card fraud victims.

Use Merchant Ratings for Better Online Safety

If you are one of the 885 million Internet users worldwide who have shopped online, you probably appreciate the convenience and seemingly infinite choices when shopping on your computer. In fact, it would be difficult to find any product that cannot be purchased on the Internet and shipped directly to your home or office. Online purchasing also allows comparison shopping from website to website ó all with just a few clicks of your mouse.

Using Your Credit Cards Safely Online

Are you an online shopper? If so, you're not alone. According to a recent Nielsen survey, nearly 875 million Internet users worldwide have shopped online. A whopping 94 percent of America's Web users have purchased items on the Internet, from clothing and accessories, to books, airline tickets, electronic equipment, music, and computer games. And 60 percent of U.S. online shoppers paid with a credit card.

What Credit Cards Should You Carry With You?

Credit cards provide the ultimate convenience in our day-to-day financial activity, but they also subject cardholders to the vulnerability of losing them or having them stolen. While common sense guidelines determine the overall security of the credit cards you carry with you, finding yourself in the position of misplacing a card or being victimized by a thief can happen to anyone. Here are a few tips to keep your cards safe.