Most consumer credit cards protect the cardholder in the case of fraudulent charges. If charges are not made by you, you’ll probably not be held responsible but make no mistake, it can be a real hassle to deal with.
Here are some tips to make sure your card is safe:
- Sign the back of the credit card
Sounds simple enough but many people tend to leave this area blank or don’t notice when the signature has rubbed off. You may not know this but your signature is the primary form of identification when verifying your card at the store.
- Take extra care to keep your credit card in a safe place
Make sure you always take your card back after making a purchase. Credit card fraud is more high tech and sophisticated than ever before. Forgetting your card for even a short while can give thieves an opportunity to make a copy. It’s possible to think you’ve gotten your card back and a replica may already exist.
- Always check your statement to make sure all charges are yours
Credit card companies are great at figuring out your spending habits and identifying flags but fraudsters are always plotting their way around security systems. The sooner you find charges that aren’t yours, the better. Faster detection means protection for you, the credit card companies and helps law enforcement catch the criminals who used your card in the first place.