Because credit cards are so common, identity theft has become one of the most common crimes committed today. This problem is much bigger than it used to be, and because of it, hundreds of millions to billions of dollars are stolen every year.
The US Congress has passed laws to stop the rise of identity theft, but so far they haven't made a big difference. Even though there are laws that protect us from identity theft and punish those who do it, it is also up to us to protect ourselves. One of the best and simplest ways to do this is to keep our credit cards safe.
The US Federal Trade Commission has told the public a sad fact: it takes identity theft victims an average of a year to even realise that their information has been stolen. So by the time someone figures this out, they may already be in a lot of debt.
But now is not the time to worry. There are ways to stop and stop identity theft. All you have to do is make sure that your credit card and information about it are not easily accessible to anyone. There are some very easy steps you can take to keep your credit card safe.
First, know where your cards are at all times. If you can help it, don't take a lot of cards with you when you go shopping. This could cause trouble. You should only bring a card that you plan to use. Never let your card out of your sight when you pay with it. Make sure you can see when your card will be charged. Some people may copy the information on the back of the card, including the very important security number, and use it on the internet.
Don't let anyone else know your PIN (Personal Identification Number). People could take money out of an ATM with your credit card. So, if you get your credit card, make sure to remember the number and throw away the paper where it is written as soon as you can. Also, don't write your PIN down and keep it in your wallet. You should never keep your credit card and PIN together. If you lost your wallet, the person who found it would have a hard time using your credit card without the PIN. Make sure to report a lost or stolen credit card right away. This will stop anyone from using it.
Also, be suspicious of emails that ask for your credit card information. This is called "phishing," and there are a lot of con artists on the internet who will use email to steal your money. You might think the email came from a reputable business or bank offering great deals, but it might just be from these people trying to scam you. Make sure to delete these emails and never give them any information.
Checking your credit report once in a while is a great way to see if your identity has already been stolen. This isn't a problem because you can do it online for free. There are a number of websites where you can find this kind of information. So watch out and make sure your credit card is safe to protect your identity.
