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suspicious activity, cancel your
transaction.
You should also take your receipt
with you, as it may contain
personal information that could be
helpful to identity thieves.
When using a drive-through ATM,
lock car doors and roll up other
windows. If you walk up to the
ATM, don’t leave your car running
or unlocked. And never leave ATM
or other credit cards in your car’s
glove compartment.
When using an indoor ATM that
requires your card for access,
avoid letting unknown people in
with you.
Report lost or stolen cards
immediately, and sign your new or
replacement card as soon as you
receive it.
Monitor your statements
Sign up for email/text "transaction
alerts" from your bank
Keep copies of ATM and sales
receipts for your records
Using your card securely at
retail stores
Do business with companies
whose reputation and integrity are
already familiar to you. If you feel
pressured into acting before you’re
ready to buy, trust your common
sense and take your time.
Find out the store’s return and
exchange policy before you hand
over your Visa card. If you have
questions that the sales staff
can’t answer, consider holding off
until you have all the information
you need to make an informed
purchase.
Review receipts before you sign
them, save customer copies, and
check these against your account
statements. Notify your card-
issuer of any errors or suspicious
charges.
Keep an eye on your card while
it is being swiped through the
merchant's terminal
Ensure that you get your card back
immediately after every purchase
Check your card when it is returned
to you
Using your card online
Register for Verified by Visa with
your bank
Keep user names and passwords
secret
Use the latest version of your
browser's software and check to
be sure your computer's operating
system software is up to date.
Use only secure Internet browsers
that allow secure transmission of
data
Only give your card details when
you initiate a purchase
Keep a record of transactions,
either through e-mail confirmations
or by writing down confirmation
numbers provided by a merchant,
and review monthly statements
thoroughly
Never respond to an e-mail
request for personal or account
information, even if it appears to
be from a trusted source
Never send payment information
via e-mail since e-mail is not
secure and outside parties can
read information that travels over
e-mail
Using your card while traveling
Before you go
Check your card to make sure it
won’t expire while you’re away.
Confirm your credit, as well as
your account balance, if you plan
to use your debit or credit card
during your trip. And verify your
credit limit, too, so you’ll know
how much you’ll be able to charge
each day.
Make a note of your credit and
debit card numbers, as well as
issuer phone numbers, and keep
them in a safe place, so you won’t
have to scramble in the unlikely
event your card is lost or stolen.
You should never write down your
PIN number, however.
Before you head out, let your
card issuer know that you plan to
be traveling to avoid having your
unfamiliar transactions flagged as
suspicious.
During your trip
Avoid leaving cards unattended at
work, in a hotel room, recreation
areas, or in a locked or unlocked
vehicle. Take advantage of the
safe or security box provided by
the hotel for your valuables.
Save all of your receipts for proof
of purchase. And, when you