11 Tips to Protect Your Credit Card
Today, with the internet ecommerce boom and more and more people shopping online rather than in stores, the public needs to pay more attention to the safety and security of their credit cards. Too many times credit card numbers have been stolen from web sites and people have been left with their credit in shambles. It is no wonder the public is losing confidence in online shopping; there are too many scams and too many computer experts behind the scenes figuring out how to get information, yours and mine.
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So how do we really protect ourselves from fraud and still enjoy the benefit of shopping online? How do we protect our credit against those who will try to steal our good name and information? Let’s try to practice some safety tips handed down from other safe sources:
1 - As soon as you receive a new credit card sign the back of it.
2 - When using an ATM, be sure no one can see and memorize your key strokes when you put your PIN number in. Also, be sure not to leave your receipt behind. Your personal information would be easily gleaned from that receipt.
3 - Be sure to get your credit card back when making a purchase. So often people hand their card over to the merchant, it is laid on the counter, and before you know it, you’ve left the counter without your card.
4 - Don’t give your credit card number out online unless you see that tiny icon that resembles a lock or padlock on the bottom bar of your computer window. The padlock means you are on a higher level of security, and gives you a bit of assurance that you are safe. Don’t just trust a site because it says it is secure. You might want to get a physical address of the business also and a telephone number. Call the telephone number to be sure it is active and that the company answers, not just a answering machine or service. Because they have a beautiful fully operational website, does not always mean they are legitimate. Check them out before you buy!
5 - Keep a list of your credit cards and contact information so that if you lose your card you can call the card issuer and have the card stopped.
6 - Always check your credit card statements to verify that the charges are yours only. If not call the card issuer regarding the charge.
7 - Don’t go for the cards that require you to spend money up front or do not divulge who they are.
8 - Be very careful giving your credit card information over the telephone. You want to be certain who you are talking to. You should initiate the call. DO NOT give your information over a cordless phone. Radio scanners pick that information up.
9 - Keep a photocopy of your credit cards and credit receipts but do not keep them in the same place. If your credit card copies are stolen, so would your receipts be stolen if together.
10 - Never give account information to someone you do not know. Don’t leave your credit statements etc. open for someone else’s eyes to see.
11 - Never keep your PIN number with your credit card.
The safety tips may not completely keep you safe, but practicing them will delay fraud and make someone think twice before trying to get your information.
Many people are bothered by their name and information being sold to mailing lists. If this is the case with you, you can choose to OPT OUT. To do so, visit https://www.optoutprescreen.com. You can also call 888-567-8688 to opt-out of pre-approved credit offers.
Tips For Choosing The Right Credit Card
Safety Tips For Online Shopping
What Should You Do If Your Identity is Stolen
Best Credit Cards For Good Credit
Below you can find list of the best credit cards for good credit score.
How To Find The Best Credit Card For Airline Miles
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Tips for Choosing the Best Credit Card
There are literally tons of cards out there with all different sorts of offers. Picking the right one for you can take some time and searching. Perhaps a good place to begin would be in going to http://www.credit.com/credit-cards-by-score. Here you will be able to put your credit rating in and find the cards that you would qualify for before researching which ones you really want. Some things you might consider before selecting are as follows:
- How will you be using your credit card? Will it be for everything, only large item purposes, for business only or will it be just in case you need to (seldom using it)?
- How will you be paying your credit card? Will you pay the balance every month or will you be carrying the balance and making payments?
- Do you have excellent credit or do you have some bad marks on your credit like bankruptcy or failure to pay on time, etc.
- Do you like the benefits on your credit card like air miles, gifts, tools etc.? Will you be using them or will they sit there unused?
How you use your credit card makes a good deal of difference in your credit card selection. If you use it for all your purchasing, then you could take advantage of the rewards type card where you earn extra money, air miles, online tools or any other kind of reward offered these days; however, if you would not be checking your benefits earned and using them, there would be no sense in getting a reward card. You might be more satisfied using one with a low interest rate and no annual fee. If you use your credit card just in case you need one, take a look at the low interest rate cards with no annual fees. You definitely want to make that decision before choosing.
Using your credit card for large items only means you might want to carry a balance on your credit card and pay monthly. Paying monthly, you would also want to be sure you had a low interest rate card with perhaps a high authorized credit balance. In this case you could also transfer balances from other cards or loans onto your new card with a lower interest rate. If you pay your credit balance off every month, you can apply for cards like American Express, but if you will be making payments on your balance, then again, you will want to secure a low interest rate card.
Having bad credit can be a nuisance, but you can get credit. You can rebuild your credit after something devastating has happened. You might want to start out with a debit card or a card that will build your credit like a prepay card. With the prepay card, you put so much cash into it and then spend it by using the card. Of course, it is reported to the credit bureau so you basically are building your credit. Stay away from rewards cards as they charge extra fees for the benefits. Use simple, no frill cards with as low an interest rate as you can qualify for.
Having good credit or excellent credit can qualify you for most of the big cards like the large benefit cards that give you the air miles, shopping cash back, gifts, discounts etc. Please note though that the benefit cards charge about 2% for the benefits they offer. Nothing is free. If you decide you want some of the benefits on your card, decide which benefits you would most use and look for those specific benefit offering cards.
Good luck in your choosing.
Safety Tips For Online Shopping
Low APR Credit Cards
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Using the Mobile Phone as a Credit Card
It seems the mobile phone has become the center of human life as we know it. We can do everything from take pictures to playing music and more. Now we are on the frontier of using our cell phones as credit cards instead of carrying plastic cards by the tons. Needless to say, it will help the environment and probably other areas of needed importance. There will be problems and weaknesses in the credit phone system, but once dealt with, the new credit devices should be perfect.
- How does it work?
Different companies and stores are trying different methods of capturing the market on mobile phone credit. Several cell phone companies have grouped together to work on what is called, near field communication (NFC). With near field communication, the smart phone or other devices establish a communication between them within close proximity. This can occur also between the phone and a chip in a data system, causing communication and payment through scanning your phone.
Other companies have their own programs they have worked on. Starbucks came up with a mobile application that stores your credit information and then at the cashier, you bring up a bar code on your phone that the cashier can scan for payment.
Google wallet allows storage of credit information and then near field communication devices can communicate with cash terminals working the same as credit cards
- Security Issues
Naturally, some have wondered if this would broadcast credit information all over the world and become a pay day for hackers. Others wonder what would happen if they lost their cell phone or it was stolen.
NFC is definitely not secure. Companies will have to come up with ways to secure the phones whether through pin codes, additional security software or a phone number to immediately cancel the phone once lost. Customers buying the phones will have to add pin codes to protect themselves and perhaps some virus software.
The cell phone credit card is coming and we need to be ready to handle it. While it will make life easier, it can cause big problems along the way. Before you try it or begin to use it, ask your cell phone company and the cell phone service provider about the guarantee of security when using it to buy items and how you can prevent theft of your important personal data.
What Should You Do if Your Identity is Stolen
It is unfortunate that consumers cannot relax and enjoy their spending power without having to take precaution at every turn. Whether it is online or in a store, customers must watch their personal information guarding it against fraud. If a consumer has become a victim to identity theft, the following steps must be taken immediately to protect against further deterioration of credit, bank accounts, properties and social security information.
1- Immediately notify the fraud department of all three credit reporting agencies and ask them to place a fraud alert on your credit file. You may also want to ask them to include a statement on your credit report that you are to be contacted personally by any creditors before an account is opened in your name. By doing this, a free credit report can be obtained for your examination. Review your credit report thoroughly. Search for any accounts you have not opened, creditors you may owe money to that you have not applied for credit from, mortgages you have not applied for and any inquiries from companies you have not been in touch with. If you find anything on your credit report that you know is inaccurate, have it removed immediately. Following are the website URL’s and telephone numbers for the fraud departments of each credit reporting agency:
- Equifax: 888-766-0008; website: http://www.equifax.com/
- Experian: 888-EXPERIAN (397-3742); website: http://www.experian.com/
- Transunion: 800-680-7289; website: http://www.transunion.com
2 - Notify the local Police Department and be certain to get copies of the police report to send to bank, creditors and whoever else will need proof of fraud.
3 - Change all personal PINS and passwords on your accounts whether compromised or not. Take control now before it is too late.
4 - Contact the Federal Trade Commission: http://www.ftc.gov/idtheft; The social security administration if your social security number has been used: http://www.ssa.gov/; and, the Post Office Inspector if mail has been taken from your mailbox.
5 - Notify your creditors, Bank and other financial institutions if you have fraudulent charges on your credit or your bank account has been accessed. You will want to close those accounts immediately. They may require copies of your police report as proof of fraud also.
6 - Stay on top of your credit for at least the next year. View your credit report every three months and comb it for false entries of credit you have not applied for or used. You must stay on top of your credit at all times.
Identity theft is no laughing matter and can devastate your life if not immediately taken care of when noticed. Be sure to take precautions along the way like shredding sensitive documents and reporting anything stolen from you, like personal papers, wallets, credit cards, bank statements, passports and driver licenses.
For those living in the UK and other regions of UK, similar steps must be taken.
1 - Be certain to report your identity theft to your local police department for a police report number. You will need the report for other organizations.
2 - You can ask for help from the Victims of Fraud Service located online at: http://www.identitytheft.org.uk/victims-of-fraud-service.asp. They will assist you in getting the matter cleared up.
3 - Contact all of your credit companies regarding the fraud. They may want a reference number with the police department so have the report number handy.
4 - Contact the credit reporting agencies:
- Callcredit: Telephone: 0870 060 1414; Email: vof@callcreditgroup.com
- Experian: Telephone: 0844 481 8000; Email: consumer.helpservice@uk,experian.com
- Equifax: Send questions to the support website at https://equifaxuk.custhelp.com/.
5 - Notify your Post Office in case there has been mail fraud involved.
Good luck and always be very cautious!
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How Do Thieves Steal an Identity?
How Can You Find Out If Your Identity Was Stolen?
How Can You Find Out If Your Identity Was Stolen?
Unfortunately, identity theft is known to law enforcement and creditors as the silent crime. Unless you stay on top of your credit and personal accounts, checking them frequently, identity theft can happen overnight and you are left a victim to someone having a vacation and buying gold at your expense. This can be caught though if you stay alert to the following information.
Any unauthorized bank or credit card charges should be checked out immediately. Call the store and the bank. Tell them you did not authorize that expenditure. Also be aware that new credit cards and accounts can be opened in your name. If that is noticed, call immediately to have the account closed and let the company know you did not open that account.
You find out your social security number has been used for a job you never performed or a company you never worked for on tax returns and have been notified by IRS that you have failed to file or failed to pay taxes. Notify IRS right away.
Have you received letters or bills not paid for housing or rent or utilities or car rentals? Any mail billing you for something you have not requested or authorized should be checked right away and you should be alert to anything thereafter. Be certain to contact the business billing you or writing to you to let them know you have not authorized that expenditure and to close that account immediately. You might also want to file a police report as soon as this is discovered.
If you are missing bank statements or credit card bills from your mail, call the company or bank and request information about the statement or bill and when it went out. If you start noticing these missing again, notify the Bank and Credit Card Company and stop your account. Any unauthorized activity on any of your accounts, for that matter, should be an indication that you need to stop those accounts before they are maxed out or depleted. File a police report.
If you begin receiving letters from debt collectors and the charges are not yours nor authorized by you, notify the debt collectors immediately and stop that account. File a Police report and get a copy to be sure you have proof if further things occur.
Have you been notified that your personal information has been breached through an online store? The account you had attached to that store should be discontinued right away. You should also become very alert to further breaches.
If you have lost your wallet and credit cards or checks have been stolen, close all credit card accounts associated with that wallet and stop payment on any checks from that point on not authorized or written by you. Keep a close watch on your bank account. Notify the Bank. They may want to open a new account for you.
Are there unauthorized credit inquiries on your credit report? Contact the credit bureaus and let them know you did not authorize those inquiries. Following are contact numbers for Credit Bureaus:
Transunion: 1-800-680-7289
Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
Experian: 1-888-397-3742
Keep track of your personal records and be sure to get a credit report once a year at least. Stay alert to your personal accounts because no one is exempt from identity theft and people have lost millions and their properties. You might also consider a credit monitoring service to keep you abreast of everything happening on your credit report. Good luck!
How Do Thieves Steal an Identity
How Do Thieves Steal an Identity?
Identity theft is the taking over of another person’s identity by stealing personal information like a social security number, credit card number and other identifying numbers that will allow an identity thief to either setup more accounts in your name or take from your credit and bank balances until you are totally devastated financially. The thief is seldom found because he has assumed your identity; there are no other factors to go on in finding him unless someone can identify him at your bank or store. You may be tied up in courts for years trying to prove that it was not you who totally maxed out your credit cards, or depleted your bank account or even setup numerous other credit cards.
Many have asked how thieves steal identity. Quite simply they can go into your trash and gather information from bills, bank statements or even credit card statements and checks that you have torn and thrown out. Always be sure to shred your personal trash so that pieces cannot be taped back together. A thief can be a dishonest clerk working downtown at the city business office where you pay your taxes, or local grocery store where you sometimes use a credit/debit card, write a check or enter a contest. If you have a tendency to leave mail in your mailbox for any length of time, either during night or day, information can also be gleaned from bills and other mail you receive. People who work or perform a service for you in your home, like a maid, could steal information when you least suspected.
Stealing identity is not limited to physical theft. With the computer age, came more ways to steal identity. Hacked passwords can produce results devastating to an individual because most hackers can get any and every piece of private information you have. You always want to be sure you keep passwords in a safe place where eyes cannot fall on them. Information can be hacked from businesses online also.
It is not wise to put any of your personal identification information in an email. Emails go through so many routes that can cause misdirection and before you know it, 200 people may have your social security and bank account numbers. They can use phishing to get your personal information. Never respond to a popup or requests for information from you on the computer and be sure to use some sort of encryption so that thieves cannot read your personal data. Do NOT be a clicker to every single piece of email coming into your inbox. Use your instincts first.
Once a thief has obtained your personal information (Name, social security number, account numbers), there are many things they can do like get a driver’s license in your name with their picture; get health care in your name, print checks out with your account number on them and write bad checks, apply for new credit in your name, give your personal information if they are arrested and never show up for court, rent a house in your name and never pay rent and hosts of other things like filing tax returns in your name.
Keep a watchful eye on your personal data because once it is stolen, you could be in for the worse ride of your life down the highway of headache and heartbreak.