How to Keep Your Credit Safe From Fraud

Managing your credit isn't limited to making your payments on time and keeping debts low. Monitoring your credit activity and preventing fraud is also key to good credit management. Leaving credit card numbers and statements lying around puts you at risk of identity theft. But by following a few simple tips, you can keep your information safe.

Instructions

1

Review credit activity. Don't get into a habit of paying bills and not reviewing your statements. Open credit card statements as soon as they arrive and review the activity to ensure accuracy. Report unknown activity to your creditor immediately.

2

Accept paperless statements. Thieves can remove credit card statements from your mailbox and use your account number. Forward mail to a P.O. Box or stop paper statements altogether and review your statements online.

3

Use a paper shredder to get rid of sensitive documents. Run all documents through a paper shredder before discarding to avoid having your statements stolen.

4

Keep credit cards in a private location. Store a credit card in your wallet for emergencies, and then place remaining cards in a locked drawer. Placing cards in view of others increases the risk of fraud.

5

Alert your card company if you do not receive a statement. Lost credit card statements can indicate a problem. The post office may deliver the statement to the wrong address, which increases the chances of credit fraud. Check your statements carefully or ask your card company for a new account number.