Protect Your Credit and Identity

A capable criminal only needs to know your credit numbers to fraudulently make numerous charges, including cash withdrawals, against your accounts. The following crime prevention tips will help you guard against the illegal use of credit cards.

Security Precautions

*Do not carry your Social Security card, birth certificate or passport in your purse or wallet except when needed. Store these items in a safe deposit box.

• Never print you Social Security or driver's license numbers on your checks.
• You do not have to give out your Social Security and/or driver's license numbers or personal information when asked. A business may refuse your business if you do not furnish the requested information. If this information is requested, ask these questions before determining whether to release the information.

  Why is the number needed? How will it be used? What law requires that I give you this number? What will happen if I refuse to give the number?

• If you live on a college campus, you are encouraged to carry your student identification and room key at all times. Failure to show your identification card to a staff member when requested may be a violation of the institution's policies. It is recommended not to carry your credit cards and driver's license in the same carrier in case you lose one set, then you do not lose your total identification.

Protecting Your Credit Card/Debit Card

• Photocopy both the front and back of all your credit cards and keep the copies in a safe and secure location i.e., lock boxes, safety deposit box and with parents. This will enable you to cancel your credit card as soon as possible if stolen.
• Sign all credit cards as soon as they arrive.
• Do not leave credit card bills, credit card and ATM transaction receipts, store receipts, bank account statements lying out in the open where anyone can see the account numbers. Keep important papers out of sight. Remember to pay any bills before the due date. Make sure you take all of the mail out of your mail box as soon as it arrives. When disposing of any papers that might have account numbers on them make sure that you tear them up in small pieces before you put them in the trash. This includes any mailings that come indicating you have been pre-approved or offering you credit.

*Do not carry credit cards in your wallet or purse. Carry them separately, if possible.

*Unless you are absolutely confident you are dealing with a reputable company, never give your credit card account number over the telephone or Internet.

*Don't be fooled by a scam where a con artist asks for your credit card number to "verify" a prize he or she says you have won.

• Never give information over the telephone to an unknown caller. If a caller tells you he represents your bank or financial institution, hang up and dial that institution to confirm that the caller is actually from your bank. Be sure you have a dial tone before making the call.

*Notify credit card companies in advance of a change in address.

*When you use a credit or debit card to make a purchase, maintain visual contact with the card and make sure no extra imprints of your card are made and the transaction receipt is deposited in the cash register.

• It is a good idea to keep your credit/debit card receipts and check them against the monthly billing statement.

*Smart cards such as pre-paid phone cards and bank cards provide protection against someone stealing your card and charging large amounts against your account. They are for a specific amount of money and when the amount is spent no more money/credit is available. Carefully study the costs of transactions with such cards so that you get the most value for your money. Once the money on the card is spent, destroy the card if it is not renewable.

Source: Protect Your Credit and Identity, Nebraska Cooperative Extension NF02-538; Debra E. Schroeder, Extension Educator and Rebecca L. Versch, Extension Educator