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Protect Your Credit Cards!

Understanding and applying these simple guidelines will go a long way toward protecting yourself against credit card theft or fraud.

1. If you lose your card, notify your bank or credit card company immediately.

2. Remember to get your card back when you are purchasing goods or services. Do not leave your card in hotel rooms or exposed for long periods on restaurant tables. The card number can be stolen even if the card itself is not taken.

3. Make sure you retain all carbon copies of your receipts when making a purchase. Likewise, hold onto your credit card receipts from ATM withdrawals.

4. If you don’t receive a billing statement on time, notify the credit card issuer immediately. Upon receipt, check your billing statements carefully to make sure all charges are yours. Any errors or charges that don’t belong to you should be reported as soon as possible. Retain copies of your receipts, so you can check them against your billing statements.

5. Be careful in disposing of materials and correspondence relating to your finances. Shred all receipt carbon copies before disposing of them, to make sure your credit card number is unrecognizable. Do not throw away canceled checks, financial statements or letters offering pre-approved credit cards where others can easily find them.

6. Promptly destroy all old cards or cards you no longer use. Cut them in half and make sure the card number is unrecognizable.

7. Secure your mailbox. Obtain a lock, if necessary. If you live in an apartment with a cluster mailbox, make sure the locks for the panel and your box lock correctly. Otherwise, notify the manager.

8. When applying for a card, check the return address of the card issuer. If there is a sticker with a return address placed on the application, contact the card issuing company to verify the correct address.

9. Do not give your credit card number to anyone calling on the telephone offering you prizes or gifts. Do not write your card number on postcards notifying you that you have won a prize or gift and requesting the number as part of the award arrangements.

10. Now that your ATM card is accepted by many retailers, be sure to check your bank statement for unauthorized use.

These tips were compiled by the BBB, The U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Citibank.

The Better Business Bureau does not endorse, recommend, or disapprove any product, service or organization.