Basic Safety Rules when Using a Credit Card Pt. 1

In this day an age, a credit card is no longer a convenience — it is a necessity.  But many of us forget some of the basics when considering what to do to protect the safety of our cards and banks accounts.  For example.  If you forget to take your credit card when leaving the house, you run the risk of falling into a situation that is no less awkward than forgetting to change shoes and leaving the house in slippers. The digital technology boom and the rise of the internet has made our lives more convenient and our time spent more efficient.  But with these added advantages, new threats have arisen as well.

Through theft of confidential digital information, the volume of money pilfered by hackers and scammers, and has already bypassed the global volume seen drug business revenues.  And these trends are steadily increasing.  So, what is the best way to protect yourself and your money from cyber criminals? Let’s review several basic rules that will help you minimize the risk and protect your credit card from unauthorized use.

General Rules

You should always have your credit card with you or keep it in a safe place. In no case the credit card should be left in a car, a hotel room, a desk drawer, or in any other place where anyone is able to take your card and copy it, take a picture, scan or rewrite the basic information from the card.  “It might seem like basic common sense to have your credit card with you at all times,” said Rick Bartlett from Bestcredit.net.  “But the number of situations — in hotel rooms, for example — where cardholders make their account information available is truly alarming.”

So, you should always remember to not give your credit card to anyone except for a cashier to carry out a transactions. Even in these cases, make sure to have the card in your field of vision at all times. You should avoid giving your credit card even to some of the closest people to you, and only make allowances for the ones you completely trust.  Even when you are dealing with trustworthy and honest people that have no desire to hurt you, they still might not follow the simple rules of safety when using the credit card.  Your card could be compromised due to their negligence, even through no intentional fault of their own.  Thus, there is no need to create embarrassing situations for family or friends by exposing them to excess liability and risks.  If your financial information is compromised, the Bestcredit website offers a list of credit unions with card agreements best suited for dealing with fraud protection.

Pin Codes

Next, it is important to remember to avoid verbally give anyone the PIN code for the card, or the information about where it is stored.  Never keep the bank slip with the PIN code or a piece of paper with the written PIN code together with the card: Always remember to keep them in different places. If you need to record the PIN code, never specify that that is the PIN.  When you are entering your PIN, do it so that it is not visible what numbers you are pressing.  Even if no one is around, you can be watched with a hidden camera installed by scammers. Cover your fingers as you are entering the PIN with, with your second hand or any object available – a wallet, sunglasses, your cap, etc.  In the next part of this article, we will look as some additional tips to keep your card information and protect yourself from credit card criminals.