Protect your Debit & Credit Cards

These important tips will help you keep your card and accounts safe:

Report a lost or stolen card immediately to the card issuer. The most fraudulent use of cards takes place within a few days of their being lost or stolen.
Ensure that your card is signed on the signature panel as soon as you receive it.
Memorize your personal identification number (PIN). Don't write it down in your wallet or on the back of the card. Don't designate the same PIN for all your cards. When selecting a PIN, always avoid the obvious - your name, telephone number, or date of birth.
Never disclose your PIN to anyone. No one from Tech CU, any financial institution, the police, or a merchant should ask for your PIN. You are the only person who should know it. If someone calls you claiming to be a bank representative and asks for your PIN number, do not give it to them. Report the incident to your bank and the police.
Know who has access to your cards. If your credit card is borrowed by a family member (spouse, child, parent), with or without your knowledge, you may be responsible for their purchase/cash withdrawal.
When your card has become stuck inside of the ATM machine, be suspicious of anyone offering their help, even if they appear to be a bank security officer. Criminals can obtain your PIN by several means (shoulder surfing or straight forward questioning), then retrieve your jammed card from the ATM and use it to withdraw funds.
If your wallet is stolen, be aware that a driver's license and major credit card are often all a thief needs to open charge accounts in your name. To prevent what could be a credit nightmare, ask the credit bureaus (Equifax, 800-685-1111, Trans Union, 800-888-4213, Experian, 888-397-3742) to place a "fraud alert" on your file. After that, any future credit applications will have to be confirmed by you over the phone.
Make a comprehensive list of all your cards and their numbers. Store it in a safe place. (your wallet is not a safe place) This is key information you'll need to report lost or stolen cards.
If you aren't using your cards, lock them up. Limiting the number of cards you carry limits the potential for fraud. Destroy unwanted cards so no one can use them.
Keep your sales slips, and check them off against your monthly statement to make sure no one else has used your card, or your sales draft wasn't altered by a dishonest merchant. Report any errors or unknown charges immediately.
Don't carelessly discard or leave documents unattended that contain your personal information - including account numbers - such as car rental agreements, airline ticket coupons, or your billing statements and inquiries.