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Credit Card Advice
Once you have obtained credit, it is necessary to protect it.
Keep private information to yourself, such as, credit, debit, and ATM cards, as
well as account and personal identification numbers (PIN). On this page you will find
suggestions on how to use and protect your credit.
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Sign your card
When you receive a credit card, sign the back of it as soon
as it is activated. Be sure to store it in a safe place. Cut up
expired cards before disposing of them.
Protect your cards as you would cash
Never write your PIN number on your debit card. Instead, commit your
PIN number to memory.
Keep an eye on your card whenever it is in use
Watch clerks process your credit payments. Open your credit card bills
promptly each month and make sure only you made the listed purchases.
Loss of multiple cards
While shopping, you may be targeted by pickpockets. If your purse or
wallet is stolen, you could lose all your credit cards at one time.
Separate your cards and carry only those cards that you actually plan to use.
Check your cards from time to time and put aside those cards you don't
use very often.
Keep account numbers to yourself
Be cautious about giving anyone your account numbers, especially over the
telephone when someone calls you. Save sales receipts to compare with your bill,
and when you discard documents with account numbers on them, tear them up and
be sure that the numbers can't be read.
Promptly open your monthly bills
If you disagree with an item on a bill, you are responsible for notifying the
bank in writing within 60 days of receiving the bill. You should include
your name, account number, the item you believe is in error, and the reasons
why.
Store account and phone numbers in a safe place
Maintain a list of account and telephone numbers of the banks that issued
your cards in a safe place. Then, if a card is lost or stolen, you can notify the bank
quickly. If your notification is received before the card is used, you have no
legal responsibility for the bills. If, however, it is received after the card is used,
your legal responsibility is $50.
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