Measures for Credit Card Users to Prevent Identity Theft

What is better than cash? A stolen credit card is the answer. The importance of protecting your credit card information is even more essential now, with the introduction of online shopping. As such, it’s wise to be proactive in preventing such thing from happening to you. Furthermore, the responsibility always lies with credit card holders to safeguard their credit cards. Here is a list of important "do’s and don’ts" to safeguard your credit card.

1. Treat your cards like cash.
2. One of the important thing is to scratch away the 3-digit Card Security Code and remember it. This way even it your card is lost, the thief would not be able to use it.
   
3. Keep your card number confidential.
4. Sign up your new cards as soon as they arrive and cut up the old cards when they expire.
5. Sign your credit card in permanent ink as soon as you receive it.
6. Ensure that your transaction is processed in your presence every time you make a purchase. Check your card when it is returned to you by the cashier to ensure that it is yours and that it has not been tampered with in any way.
7. Total your charge slip before signing in, as blank spaces serve as an invitation for unscrupulous individuals to add additional amounts.
8. Retain your receipts so that you can check them against your statement.
9. Inform your card issuer immediately if unfamiliar transactions are posted on your statement.
10. Keep your statements in a safe place - they contain sensitive information.
11. Shred all statements before disposing of them, even those for closed accounts.
12. Inform the card issuer when you are traveling overseas.
13. Notify the card issuer of any change of address, so new cards/statements are not sent to the old mailing address.
14. Inform the card issuer immediately if your card is stolen or lost. Always keep card issuer contact number at hand. Only provide your SSN(Social Security Number) and credit card information to parties with whom you have initiated the call.
15. The most primary step is always shredding credit card offers and any documents containing personal information before throwing them in the trash so that no one get your details.
16. Know where your important documents are kept, including your passport, driver's license, and social security card, and make sure they stay safe by checking everyday.
17. Immediately report the non-receipt or disappearance of any mail from your inbox which you should have received from a credit card issuer or your bank.
18. When credit card bills or banking statements arrive, look them over then and there and Contact your credit card company or bank directly if you spot any unusual or unauthorized charges.
19. Investigate any credit card or other bills, invoices, or receipts for good or services you have not ordered.
20. Get a copy of your credit report from all three major issuers and look for any items that are unfamiliar.
21. When moving, be sure to get your mail forwarded to your new address. Then, follow up by ordering a copy of your credit report two to three months after the move.
22. Keep a list of the phone numbers you need to call if credit cards or debit cards are stolen.
23. If you have a safe deposit box at the bank, consider storing valuable financial information there.

Hope these things might help you in preventing your credit card from being used by some fraud person. If you have any other suggestion for my readers,please post it as a comment