How to Protect Your Finances this Holiday Season

It can be all too easy to adopt an “it can never happen to me” mentality about credit card fraud. Unfortunately, credit card fraud is a growing problem. With more cases and incidents, it is important for you to be prepared rather than be penniless.

What can you do?

• Guard your online information. Make sure you clear your login and passwords, especially if you’ve used a public computer. Use unique passwords that are difficult to hack.
• Limit the information you share online and in person. Giving your information and account numbers to others allows for a greater chance of someone else obtaining it. Don’t lend your card to anyone or leave it lying around the house.
• Shred your cards and sensitive documents when you no longer need them. This includes old bank statements, credit card applications, or anything with your personal information on it.
• Constantly monitor your bank and credit card statements. Check regularly to verify that all the purchases on your accounts were ones that you made.
• Be aware of phishing or online gimmicks. Don’t give in to spam or suspicious sweepstakes. If they ask you for your sensitive information, it is likely a scam.
• Save your receipts. Compare them with your statements to make sure there isn’t anything different or unusual.
• Only bring the card(s) you need for the occasion. If it’s necessary to bring multiple, try to keep them in separate places so thieves won’t have access to all of them in one spot.