There are 10 trillion possible combinations of credit card numbers out in the universe, and card issuers are only using about 65 million of them.
Data breaches, identity theft, and credit card fraud have all become more common in recent years, and with most of us living our lives online, you shouldn’t expect that to change.
You need to learn how to protect yourself. Here’s what you need to know about credit card security - and how to make sure your cards stay safe.
Whether your wallet contains a credit card it is one of the most important items you can have in it, so you need to take it seriously. Read on to learn the top five ways in which to Safely Use your Credit Card and still enjoy the convenience that the plastic gives you.
5. Do not write down your PIN
Most people tend to memorize all or part of their PIN numbers, so they can use the same PIN for multiple accounts, but it doesn’t have to be that way. You can avoid memorizing your PIN if you have the option to write it down in a place where no one can easily find it, and then you will only have one number to worry about.
4. Do not share your PIN with anyone
If your wallet contains your credit card account numbers, only keep them to your husband, wife, kids, or other close relatives because they may need to use the numbers to access your account. This is because your PIN can be used when you’re making purchases at the grocery store, buying gas, or making a hotel reservation, and your account number has been compromised. So if you recommend the use of your PIN on your checking account, make sure that you have a solid safety plan put in place so that you can withdraw money if something goes wrong.
3. Do not use a credit card if you don’t have the money
Credit card accounts are a wonderful way to make your purchases, but they can make it harder to stay within budget. The most important thing to remember when using your account is to stay within your budget.
2. Do not keep receipts
Receipts can be a drag and a total headache to haul around, especially when you need to keep track of your spending, but you have no reason to keep them if you don’t need them. Keep receipts in a secure place so that you can’t misplace them. Also, when you go to the ATM or the bank, you file your receipt in the same place as the others, so it won’t get lost.
1. Do not access your credit card account online unless you know you’re going to use it
By using your computer to access your account, you should make sure that you are authenticating to your account through a secure login page, and that the address on the browser is from your bank or credit company. You need to ensure that each computer you used to access the Internet has the right firewall and anti-virus software installed.