Help prevent credit card fraud this holiday season
Banks and other financial institutions issue hundreds of credit cards to consumers every day. Most people carry one or more, and they are heavily used for holiday shopping.
But now credit card fraud is more frequent than ever. Millions of people are victimized by credit card security breaches every year, the holiday shopping season is a particularly vulnerable time.
Not all issuers – and credit or debit cards – are the same.
Choose wisely when opening a credit or debit card account with a financial institution; the decisions you make now can either haunt or comfort you should you ever be victimized by fraudulent activity.
What to look for in your credit or debit card
Just say no – as in zero.
If your credit or debit cards are physically stolen or used without your authorization, you may not be liable for any charges. If your card has zero liability protection, you won't be responsible for unauthorized charges.
Stay alert.
Sign up for account alerts. Chase helps safeguard your credit card purchases using sophisticated fraud monitoring. We monitor for fraud 24/7 and can text, email or call you if there are unusual purchases on your credit card.
Fast action.
If fraud is suspected or your card is stolen, you may lock your account on your issuer's app or call your card issuer to have your account frozen.
How you can help prevent fraud
Go paperless.
Eliminate hard-copy statements by signing up to access your credit and debit card account online. Be sure to monitor it every few days – or more frequently during this busy shopping season. If you spot anything inaccurate or unauthorized, contact your provider's customer service center immediately. If you wait to get your statement in the mail, weeks may pass before you identify a fraudulent transaction – which may be repeated if they go undetected.
Keep contact information up to date.
If you move or get a new cell phone number, make sure you update your contact information accordingly with your card provider. That will ensure they are able to reach you in the case of suspected fraud or other emergency.
Strengthen your password.
It may seem inconvenient, but a long password – using numbers, letters and symbols – is much harder to hack. If you choose something simple or personal – like birth dates or your kids' names — savvy hackers may be able to break the code simply by reading your profile on social media. Plus, it's not a bad idea to change your password every few months.
Throughout the end-of-year shopping season, and anytime, be vigilant in following these steps in tandem with a card issuing-partner that is similarly attentive. Doing so will further the likelihood of happier, stress-free holidays.
