Protect Your Credit Card From Identity Theft

Follow these recommendations to add more security and keep your credit card and identity safe.

12:25 31 May 2013

For the most part, people probably aren’t too worried about legitimate inquiries by the government into their online activities. A bill allowing the storage of internet use for citizens may be revived, but many people face threats on a daily basis when using the internet.

 

Identity theft can be as easy as purchasing credit card numbers for a few pounds and then going on a shopping spree. Thankfully, there are ways to keep your credit card number a little bit safer. 

 

• Petrol stations—if you have the option for self-service choose that option. It might not be convenient, but your credit card never leaves your possession. There are card readers on mobile phones and special card sliders that fit in the palm of your hand which can grab your credit card information when swiped. A fake card can then be created with all your information. 

• Restaurants—if you eat out keep your card in sight while the bill is being paid. The workers should be amenable if you ask to accompany the card, or you can offer to take the bill to the register. 

• Shredding paperwork—any paperwork that has your credit card number, personal information, or other sensitive data should be shredded before being tossed in the waste bin. 

• Antivirus and anti-spyware—if you have a computer it’s a good idea to have these two types of software on it for some additional protection. They aren’t a guarantee that everything will be finding and you’ll never get a virus, but it’s an extra line of defence.

• Internet browsers—don’t store your credit card information, or other sensitive data in the memory of your internet browser. Whenever you shop online, or access your banking information log all the way out and close the internet browser window completely before continuing to surf the internet.