Do:

• Sign your cards as soon as they arrive.


• Carry your cards separately from your wallet, in a zippered compartment, a business card holder, or another small pouch.


• Reduce the number of cards you carry; just one or two are sufficient for everyday use.


• Keep a record of your account numbers, their expiration dates, and the phone number and address of each company in a secure place.


• Keep an eye on your card during the transaction, and get it back as quickly as possible.


• Void incorrect receipts.


• Destroy carbons.


• Save receipts to compare with billing statements.


• Open bills promptly and reconcile accounts monthly, just as you would your checking account.


• Commit to memory all your passwords and PINs; never write them in your wallet, purse or Rolodex.


• Report any questionable charges promptly and in writing to the card issuer.


• Notify card companies in advance of a change in address.


• Disregard credit cards you don’t need.


• Install a lock on your mailbox at home, or use a post office box. This will reduce the risk of mail theft.


• Guard the keypad when punching in your PIN at an ATM or when placing a calling card call. This helps protect against "shoulder suffers" learning your code.


• Cancel your unused credit cards so that their account numbers will not appear on your credit report. (If an identity thief obtains your credit report, the thief may use the account numbers to obtain credit in your name. To help avoid this problem, some credit reporting agencies "condense" account numbers on credit reports.)

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