Protecting Your Credit Card While Shopping Offline

To protect your credit card itself from being stolen {or the information contained in it}, do the following:

1. When you use your credit card offline for purchases, make sure that you get it back after every purchase. Don't leave it with there even for a minute.

2. Make sure that you never give your credit card number verbally, especially over the phone.

   This is because you are not completely certain who the other person at the other end could be. The person could be a thief who could steal the credit card information for personal use.

   Even when you are dealing with a reputable company, extreme care is necessary to ensure your credit card number doesn't go to a wrong hand.

   Also, there is the possibility of thieves tapping into your phone to steal your credit card information as you give it out over the phone.

3. When shopping or engaging in any other transaction with your credit card, always keep an eye on your card to avoid others getting hold of your card infomation.

4. Make sure your transactions are accurate and always be on guard for dishonest merchants who might change your credit card slip after you sign it.

5. Always add up your charge slip before signing the credit card receipt. Don't leave blank spaces where additional amounts could be added because dishonest merchants can add to it.

6. Never sign a blank charge slip.

7. Keep a watch out for people standing near you at retail stores, restaurants, grocery stores, etc., that have a cell phone in hand.

   These days, with the new camera cell phones, they can take a picture of your credit card, which gives them your name, number, and expiration date.

8. Ensure that you do not give any personal information when you use your credit card, other than your ID document which may be requested.

9. When making a long-distance call from a public pay phone, take extreme caution to shield your credit card or calling card. Also shield the phone keypad when you enter your card number.

10. Be sure you cannot be overheard when you say your card number to an operator.

11. You can be contacted on phone or email by fraudsters pretending to be your credit card company or bank and saying they need to verify your card number because of some 'computer problem.' Make sure that you don't fall for this scam.

    When this happens, Verify directly with the credit card company using the telephone number on your card, not the number the caller may give you because the number will definitely be a fake one.

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Protecting Your Credit Card While Shopping Online