Credit Card Security Advice
Which of the following is the biggest threat to your credit card security?
a) Shopping online with a credit card
b) Shopping in a real store with your credit card
c) Ordering something over the phone with your credit card
The answer may surprise you. It's b - shopping in a real store with a credit card. Despite all the controversy and publicity surrounding internet phishing and identity theft, shopping online is a relatively safe process. Credit card fraudsters are far more likely to get your credit card numbers and ID information by hacking into a bank or credit card company computer than they are to hack into an online store's server.
The truth is that there are some dangers to using credit cards in ANY situation - and there are ways to safeguard your information and security no matter where you shop with your credit card.
When shopping online?
·Only shop reputable sites. If a shopping web site has been around for a while, it's a pretty good bet that they're legitimate.
·Use an online money transfer service rather than your usual credit card. You can fund an account with a service like Paypal via your credit card or bank account - but your information isn't freely available. When you pay via PayPal, the only information that the seller gets about you is your email address.
When shopping in a real store?
·Keep your eye on your credit card. Stores with the latest tech in credit card scanning won't ever even handle your card - you slide it in the scanner yourself and it never leaves your possession. In stores that aren't that hip yet, keep your eye on what's happening with your card, and ALWAYS take your credit card receipt. Until everyone is using the latest scanners and printers that only print out the last four digits of your credit card, discarded credit card receipts are the easiest way for thieves to get hold of your credit card numbers.
When shopping by phone?
·Never, ever, ever give your credit card numbers to someone who called you. No matter how good a deal sounds, insist on being given the time to confirm the identity and company of the person you're speaking with.
As you can see, for the most part, common sense is all it takes to keep your credit card information safe!
Joseph Kenny is the webmaster of the credit card comparison sites http://www.credit-cards-info.com/ and also http://www.creditcards121.com/
MORE RESOURCES:
 Boston Globe | Former Credit Suisse broker arrested in US Swissinfo, Switzerland - A former Credit Suisse broker has been arrested for fraud and conspiracy over deceptive sales of subprime-related auction-rate debt in the United States. ... Former Credit Suisse broker charged with subprime-linked fraud in ... UPDATE 1-FBI arrests ex-Credit Suisse broker Bulgarian Wall Street broker indicted |
S&P cuts O'Charley's credit ratings CNNMoney.com - S&P on Thursday cut the company's corporate credit rating to "B+" from "BB-" and its senior secured credit facility rating to "BB" from "BB+. ... Cut north-west or bust Upstate NY water authority rated AA |
 CEP News | S&P upgrades Raytheon credit ratings 1 notch CNNMoney.com - S&P upgraded the company's long-term corporate credit rating to "A-" from "BBB+." The outlook is "Stable." The Waltham, Mass. ... S&P puts Fifth Third on credit watch Credit rating soars in District 300 Starbucks downgraded to 'BBB' on weakening credit metrics - S&P |
When the Bank Closes Your Credit Account Washington Post, United States - By Joan Goldwasser Q I received a notice from Capital One that it is closing my credit card account because of inactivity. If the company closes the account ... Capital One Spurned Mortgages For Credit Cards - CFO |
The Upcoming Technology of RFID For Contactless Access Control ... MarketWatch - This technology is now being rolled out in the UK and around the World for so called 'BioMetric passports' and credit cards because there are no physical ... |
Credit Crunch: The Sequel U.S. News & World Report, DC - And that certainly seemed to be the case in March when investment bank Bear Stearns became the highest-profile victim of the credit crisis. ... UPDATE 1-US banks' direct borrowing hits record in week UPDATE:Comml Bks Set Record For Avg Discount Window Borrowing The Market: What the Pros Are Saying |
Legg Mason's stock hit by Credit Suisse downgrade Reuters - Credit Suisse analyst Craig Siegenthaler downgraded Legg Mason, the No. 2 publicly traded US asset management company, to "underperform" from "neutral," ... After Credit Suisse downgrade, Legg shares fall Legg Mason leads financials lower Legg Mason shares slide after ratings downgrade |
 CBC.ca | Canada bank CEOs see more credit crisis uncertainty Reuters - By Lynne Olver CALGARY, Alberta, Sept 5 (Reuters) - Fallout from the US subprime mortgage crisis and subsequent credit crunch has left nagging regulatory ... Markets still rocky but underlying environment 'benign': Deutsche ... |
Credit Suisse appoints India investment banking MD Hindu Business Line, India - MUMBAI: Credit Suisse on Friday announced the appointment of Mr Pankaj Kalra as the Managing Director of its India investment banking department. ... Credit Suisse hires Merrill banker in India Credit Suisse appoints Pankaj Kalra, MD, investment banking Merrill Lynch Hires Dick Barrett and Mark Ellman to Strengthen ... |
 Washington Post | UPDATE 2-Lehman credit spreads widen amid KDB speculation Reuters - Lehman's credit default swaps rose 20 basis points to 345 basis points, or $345000 per year for five years to insure $10 million in debt, from 325 basis ... Credit crunch: Small Korean bank in $6bn bid to rescue Lehman Southpaw: Blood now, pay later: banks get ready for bonus season Lehman nears rescue deal with KDB |
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