Protecting Your Credit Cards (cont.)
Contributed by Rachel s Pickett
Sign your credit cards as soon as you receive them. Never wait for your credit card to be stolen and signed by someone else. When making purchases at stores always watch your credit card, literally. When you hand your credit card to the cashier watch that they only slide or scan it through the register. Swipes can be made on credit cards with a computerized credit card reader to steal your account information.
Use passwords on your credit card, phone, and bank account. It is better to use alpha numeric combinations such as AB4J12G9 instead of your mother's maiden name, last four digits of your social security number, or your birth date.
When you receive your credit card statement, open it immediately. Most credit card companies give you 30-60 days to dispute any discrepancies. If there are charges you do not recognize, check your records and contact your credit card company right away.
