ILife

The holiday season is just around the corner, which means there will be tons of shopping going on. Card safety is a major essential all year long, but studies show that card fraud increases dramatically in November and December when people are doing all of their holiday shopping. To help protect you and your money, here are twelve card safety tips to always remember:

1.    Carry only the credit or debit cards that you plan to use when shopping.

2.    When making a purchase, keep your card in view at all times. Retrieve it as soon as the transaction is complete and check to be sure it is your card.

3.    Shop online only through reputable retailers and those with stringent security practices. Look for MasterCard SecureCode and Verified by Visa to ensure your transaction is secure.

4.    Always take card receipts with you. When you discard them, do so at home suing a cross-cut shredder.

5.    Don’t give out your card information over a wireless phone. These are more vulnerable than wired phones. Also, don’t give your account information of the phone unless you initiated the call.

6.    When using ATMs, watch out for anyone who might be looking over your shoulder. Use your free hand to shield the keypad from view.

7.    Review your credit card and bank statement thoroughly the day you receive it. Report anything unusual, or transactions you don’t recognize immediately.

8.    Put a hold on your mail when you’re out of town.

9.    Store unused cards in a secure, locked place.

10.   Never lend your card to anyone, and don’t leave your cards or receipts out in public or anywhere an unauthorized person can access them.

11.   Draw a line through blank spaces on charge slips above the total to prevent any unauthorized changes.

12.   Make a list of card numbers, expiration dates, and the toll-free numbers for each of your cards. Keep this record in a safe place, separate from where you keep your cards. Use this information if you ever have to report your cards lost or stolen.