Credit Card and ATM Tips

Avoid credit card fraud and identity theft by carefully watching your credit cards.

• Put passwords on all your accounts and don’t use your mother’s maiden name – make up a fictitious word.
• Request credit cards and bank cards with your picture on them.
• Close all inactive accounts.
• Don’t use an obvious number, such as your birthday or the last four digits of your Social Security number, as your PIN.
• Sign all new cards immediately.
• Report lost or stolen cards immediately.
• When traveling, use your cell phone while sitting in airports, train stations, or while on the streets. If you do not have a cell phone and must use a credit or calling card at a public phone, purchase a prepaid calling card. Many thieves will watch you from a distance and steal your credit card number as you enter it on the keypad. They can then charge hundreds or thousands of dollars to your card before your bank or you realized what happened.
• While shopping, use a credit or debit card instead of checks because they contain less information about you. With credit cards, your liability for unauthorized use is limited by law to $50.
• When getting money from an ATM, be on the look out for “shoulder surfers.” These are people who look over your shoulder when you enter your PIN number. To protect yourself, stand directly in front of the machine and cover the number pad with your hand when entering the PIN. Keep an eye out for anyone suspicious.