- 1). Sign your ATM or credit cards when they arrive and never store PIN numbers on or near the cards. Carefully examine your monthly statements and review each item. Immediately report any questionable charges to the card issuer. When signing a receipt, draw a line through all blank spaces above the total to prevent anyone from adding to the amount. Also, never give your account number to a company over the telephone unless you know it to be a reputable firm. Never lend your cards to anyone, and avoid leaving cards and receipts lying around.
- 2). Call the card issuer immediately if your credit or debit card is lost or stolen. Carry only the cards you plan to use that day. The FTC advises that you should not carry multiple cards on your person. Avoiding that minimizes your risk in the event your wallet or purse is lost or stolen.
- 3). Learn to spot scams. Never respond to emails urging you to visit your bank's website by clicking on a link. The FTC says that's usually an attempt to lure you to a bogus website made to look like your bank's website. Thieves will steal your personal data when you attempt to log into the fake site. Similar precautions should be taken when receiving suspicious solicitations through regular mail or by telephone. Call the customer service number on the back of your card if you suspect a fraud attempt.
- 4). Shield the keypad and your card number from view when entering your PIN into an ATM. Some brazen thieves will use binoculars to steal account information and then create counterfeit cards. Ask questions if a store clerk swipes your card using two different machines; one of them could have been a card reader used to copy your account information.