Credit card fraud has spawned a huge interest in how to improve credit card details security. In Canada for example, the police say this kind of fraud runs up a bill of $500 million a year paid for by card issuing authorities and the cardholders. Another interesting statistic is that 23% of card theft happens at work, while exercising in the gym, or when leaving your car unattended.



You know the hassle involved once your credit card details security is breached. You have to report it immediately, wait for the new cards to be issued, and check your statement to see if any fraudulent transactions were made on the stolen card. If there are, then you have to do more form filling to report it and try and get your money back.

How much better to be tight on credit card details security in the first place. Below you will find a simple 10 point checklist which will greatly minimize the risk of you being a victim of fraud.

Point 1. There are more credit cards stolen at the workplace than in any other location, period! So make it a rule to never leave them in a vulnerable area when at work. Have your wallet or bag with you at all times. Be conscious of your own tendency to breach credit card details security by such mistakes as leaving a jacket containing your wallet in the inside pocket draped over a chair or hanging on the back of the door. If you are called out of the office for a few minutes you leave the way open for your card details to be stolen.

Do you really need all your credit cards with you at work? If you use one card primarily, could you keep it on your person at all times?

Point 2. Make it a monthly habit to check your statement. Always keep your card receipts, perhaps putting them aside in an envelope in your desk drawer. After the month ends, go through your statement line by line and check them all off. Make sure that all the charges that appear are actually yours. If there are any that you do not recognize, investigate and report them.

Point 3. Keep a record of all your card numbers in a safe place. If any of them are stolen, you can easily report the details at a moment's notice.

Point 4. Next to credit card theft in the workplace, cards stolen from unattended vehicles comes next in the list of likely places where you can lose your cards. So never leave them in your car when parking.

Point 5. Be aware of your credit cards when travelling. Here is another major threat to your credit card details security. When travelling we can often be distracted, especially when queuing, or in airport lounges, etc. Keep your cards on your person at all times, not with your luggage.

Point 6. Choose a PIN code that is easily remembered by you and avoid the temptation to write it down. If you use mental association it should help. Think of a mental image which involves that specific credit card, then choose a number with some significance to you, and then mentally form a scene or a story linking the image of the credit card with the number.

Point 7. This may seem a little obvious but it is surprising how many fall for this, never give your credit card details out over the phone, unless of course you are using them to pay for an item from a company you know and trust. Some scam merchants use a false identity and a persuasive story to try and get you to share your credit card details.

Point 8. If your card is stolen, report it immediately. If your card is going to be used fraudulently, it will probably happen within the first few hours or the first day of being stolen.

Point 9. Always sign the back of the credit card as soon as you get it and destroy all unwanted cards immediately.

Point 10. When using your card to make purchases in stores, always make sure it is your card that is returned to you.

This 10 point list of precautions may not protect you completely but it will certainly go a long way in increasing your credit card details security. Some of these points may seem just common sense, but it is surprising how, during the daily stresses of life, when we are distracted or otherwise just 'not thinking straight' the opportunists can seize a lapse in our concentration with a resultant lapse in our credit card details security. Be aware, stay alert!

Copyright (c) 2009 Michael A Jones