Always shop around for the credit card terms that are best for you.
Make sure you completely understand the terms of any credit card plan before you choose to go along with it. Always read the fine print.
Try to pay your bills as fast as you can to prevent high finance charges.
Always keep copies of your sales receipts and compare them with your monthly statement when it arrives.
Do your best to protect your credit card and account number. Whenever you fill out or sign a receipt, draw a line through any blank spaces above the total and rip up or keep the carbons.
Try to keep a record of your credit card number, expiration date, and the phone number of the credit card issuer in a safe place so that you will be able to contact them in case of loss or theft of your card.
Carry only the bare minimum of cards, e.g. the cards you think you will use.
Credit cards are just like a loan; eventually you will have to pay what you owe.
Try your best to keep track of how much you spend. Keep in mind that incidental and impulse purchases add up fast.
Never let anyone borrow your card.
Be very careful about giving out your account number over the phone unless you know you are dealing with a well-known company.
Never write your account number on the outside of an envelope or on a postcard.
Never sign a blank charge slip.
Use a browser that supports SSL (secure browser). This basically encrypts or codes the information you send over the Internet, including your credit card number and other personal information, to guard the security of your online transactions. Most computers come with a secure browser already installed. Always download the latest security update for your browser. Try to only purchase from sites that have a digital certificate (shown by a small lock at the bottom of the browser) because these sites use encryption to secure your data.
Keep records of your online transactions and always read your e-mail since merchants may send you important information about your purchases. With some payment platforms you will also receive a confirmation receipt. Make sure you know whether you are to receive a confirmation and look in your email for it.
Always view your monthly bank and credit card statements for any billing errors or unauthorized purchases. Notify your credit card issuer or bank immediately if your credit card or checkbook is lost or stolen.
Read the policies of Web sites you visit, including privacy policies and terms and conditions. Also pay close attention to any notices about a Web site's security. Some Web sites' disclosures are easier to find than others are - look at the bottom of the home page, on order forms, or in the "About" or "FAQs" section of a site. If you can't find a privacy policy, consider shopping elsewhere.
Keep your personal information private. Do not give out your personal information - your address, telephone number, or e-mail address - unless you know who's collecting the information, why they're collecting it, and how they'll use it.
Give payment information only to businesses you know and trust, and only in appropriate places like order forms.
Never give out your password to anyone online.
Do not download files sent to you by strangers or click on hyperlinks from people you don't know. Opening a file could expose your system to a computer virus.
This information is adapted from “Choosing and Using Credit Cards”, “Credit Rules Bookmark”, “Credit and ATM Cards: What To Do If They're Lost or Stolen”, and “Guide to Online Payments” by the Federal Trade Commission.
