Protect Your Plastic: Top 10 Ways to Prevent Credit Card Fraud – Part Three

Want more on how to fend off credit card scams? Check out Part Two in Protect Your Plastic: Top 10 Ways to Prevent Credit Card Fraud from American Van Lines.

Maintain Your Privacy
You know that your card should be kept safe at all times. While you may know that, it's easy to get distracted and lose sight of where it is. It's convenient to just stick your card back into your pocket or bag after you've made a purchase but that's how things get lost. Make it a habit to put your credit card away as soon as you're done with it. If you don't use it regularly, keep it at home or somewhere else that you know will be safe. Don't let friends use your card and be careful about who you tell your pass code to or the location of your credit card if it's somewhere in your home.

Sign Your Card
This should be one of the first things you do when you receive your card. All credit card companies take careful precautions in the ways they send you your card and PIN if your card is lost or it expires. They will even often send them in separate envelopes. This is done to protect you and it's important that you continue to take the same kinds of precautions by signing your card as soon as you receive it. If you don't, and your card falls into the wrong hands, then anyone will have the ability to sign it instead. That way, they can use it for their own purposes. A blank card is a con artists dream.

Trust Your Gut
This tip may be the most important one of all. You know if something's not right about a transaction or if something seems fishy with the person at the retail store in which you're shopping. We've all had those feelings and you should learn to trust them. If you have an uncomfortable feeling, don't push it aside. Trust your intuition and it will get you far in steering clear of credit card scams.

Have you come across a possible credit card scam and have some tips for avoiding them that we missed? Tell us about it on our Twitter page! While you're online, don't forget to check out our American Van Lines testimonials for your next relocation. We're always here to help you avoid scams and we want to make sure you have a fraud-free move as well. Call us for a moving quote when you're ready to relocate and we'll be happy to help!