Credit Card Safety

It's that time once again for the annual hunt. No, not for deer or quail, but for the "perfect" Christmas present. On these hunts many will be armed with their trusty credit cards. Unless caution is used, however, these trips could have tragic instead of happy endings.

With the arrival of the holiday season comes an increase in the use of credit cards and also a rise in the number of cards that are lost or stolen. Most thefts take place on weekends and in crowded situations such as shopping centers. Here are some ways to protect your credit cards during the busy holiday season:

1. Don't leave your purse unattended - whether that's in hotel rooms, cars, shopping carts, restaurants or store counters.
2. Check periodically to make sure you have all your cards.
3. Don't leave your credit cards in the car.
4. Keep a list of your cards in a safe place. Be sure to include an account number, address and telephone number of whom to notify in case of loss for each card.

Source: LaFon, J. (1997, November/December). Family connection. (UO&E).