5 Ways to Prevent Credit Card Identity Theft

In today’s world of wireless technology and online banking, credit card identity theft has become a major problem. Identity theft occurs when someone uses your information to access your credit history, banking resources, or other benefits using your name. This can result in massive debt and a lower credit rating for the innocent target of identity theft. Here are some tips which may keep you from getting your identity stolen.

Monitor your credit report. Free credit reports online will show you an up-to-date credit history. Review this carefully at least once a year. If you find any errors, dispute it immediately to prevent identity theft as soon as possible.

Get rid of the evidence. Shred documents and cut up old credit cards. Credit card receipts and other financial information should never be thrown away in a public place. Bank statements, credit card statements, and pre-approved credit card offers should never be left lying around.

Review your credit card statement. Before you shred it, look at your credit card statement carefully to access whether any extraneous charges have been put on it. If there are, someone might have copied your card number and  used it to go shopping. Report these immediately to the credit card agency, shut down the card, and wait for a new one to come in the mail.

Never let your credit card out of your sight. One way identity theft occurs is when you give your card to a waiter. They leave to swipe it and are then able to copy the number, expiration date, and pin number on the back. Those three things are all you need to go online shopping. Avoid shopping in places where your credit card will leave your site. While chain restaurants are a little safer, mom and pop diners could be a dangerous decision.

Don’t give away personal information easily. Never check your online banking account on an insecure wireless connection. This could allow a hacker to steal your password and control your account. If you receive an email asking for any kind of personal information, always verify with the company that they actually sent it. Look up email scams on sites like Snopes. Identity thieves will claim to be from your bank, the government, law enforcement, census workers, and even Red Cross representatives to get you to give them personal information.

Let Memphis Banking Rates help you find a credit card that is right for you while avoiding the hassle of identity theft.