How To Avoid Credit Card Frauds And Scams For The Holidays

By JB Anthony

It is inevitable that as the season for giving – and shopping – is fast approaching, we find ourselves turning more and more to our credit cards for quick purchases. Credit cards are not only perfect for shopping in brick and mortar shopping centers but it is ideal for online shopping as well. With online shopping, you get to beat the holiday rush and you get to pick your choices from different shops with just a click of your mouse and without having to spend on gas and stilettos depreciation!

However, as shopping has become more technologically-advanced, so has fraud and theft too! And while we have pickpockets in stores, so too do we have identity theft in the online transactions and use of credit cards!

Identity theft and other fraud surrounding credit cards are inevitable. How ever, a wise credit card holder can always make identity theft and other fraudulent acts difficult to thieves, thus discouraging them to make the fraud.

Here are some practical tips on how to avoid credit card frauds during the Holidays.

1. Read about identity theft There’s nothing more powerful a tool than knowledge of what you are up against. Equip yourself with the latest weapon of know-how on how identity thieves operate and how they can get hold of your most private information: your credit card number. Reading about identity theft will make you aware of the gravity of this criminal act and on the dangers they present not only on your financial life through your credit cards but also in your personal life.

2. Secured Shopping Shop only on online stores and online merchants that require you to enter pin and passwords as you type in your credit card account number. Or, shop only on online merchants whom you have tried before and have certain security measures for their online shoppers.

3. Monitor credit reports and financial statements Always review and monitor credit reports of purchases you have made online and in actual brick and mortar store. If any suspicious transactions are made, clarify the matter immediately with your credit card company.

JB Anthony is the webmaster of http://www.guide-to-credit-cards.com. To apply for your credit card online, to have your online application instantly approved, to search for your ideal credit card, or to read more about credit and debt management, please log on to http://www.guide-to-credit-cards.com