Credit and ATM Card Safety
Thrift Meister offers these safety
tips to bear in mind when using your credit and ATM cards. Don't consider
this a complete list nor everything you need to be mindful of when using
these cards. Take these tips as a starting point and build on them,
adjust behavior for your unique situation, and always use commons sense
in protecting your credit and bank account.
ATM Cards
* Keep your card in a place where
it won't be physically harmed--don't bend it, let it get scratched,
and keep it away from exposure to magnets.
*Dont choose a PIN which is your
social security number, birth date, anniversary date, family member's
birth date or any number which has a close association with you.
* Don't keep your PIN number in your
wallet or purse--if you must write it down store it some place separate.
* When using your card only go to
machines which are open, well lit spaces.
* Have your card ready when u reach
the machine so you don't have to stop to find it.
* Don't wait by the machine to count
your cash when you finish.
* If you use an ATM from your car,
mad sure doors are locked.
* If you think you are being watched,
followed, or anything unseal happens then cancel the transaction and
leave and verify with the financial institution that the transaction
was cancelled.
* Keep the phone number to call the
financial institution in case of card loss written down and in a safe
place.
Credit Cards
* Never give out your
credit card number over the phone to anyone unless you initiated the
call and know who you are talking to.
* Your card issuer won't call you
to ask what your card info is to fix a problem--they already have it
on file.
Key Points to consider when getting
a credit card
- Annual percentage rate
- Grace Period
- Annual Fees
- Transaction Fees
- Method of computing interest owed
- Amount of Penalties--Late fee, over drawn balance,
etc.
- Rewards offered--cash back, frequent flyer
miles, etc.
* You are only responsible for the first $50 of
unauthorized charges if the card is stolen
* Call your card issuing financial institution
and tell them when you get another card with a better deal and ask if
they will give you better terms. Many times they will.
* Make more than the minimum payment on your card
balance or the balance can take almost 20 years to pay off.
* If you need help in managing credit card debt
the Consumer Credit Counseling Service number is 1-800-388-2227
* A lot of the information pertinent
credit card safety is already listed in the section under protecting
yourself from identity theft so isn't listed again here. There are phone
numbers for all three of the major credit reporting agencies should
your cards be lost or stolen. You can go straight to that page by clicking
the link.
Identity
Thift
