Guard your cards!

Be a savvy consumer and protect yourself if you have plastic in your purse or wallet. Better Business Bureau Serving Acadiana recommends consumers protect credit and debit cards from identity theft.
As part of an initiative to help consumers protect themselves from identity theft, BBB offers seven ways that consumers can protect credit and debit cards:
•Only carry the cards you need. Many consumers carry every credit/debit card they have, yet few of these cards get daily use. The risk of a lost or stolen card is reduced if unused cards are left at home.
•Consumers with one or more unused credit cards should consider canceling the by contacting the issuing financial institution in writing. Once canceled, the consumer should cut the card or cards into small strips or shred before disposing.
•Do not write personal identification numbers (PINs) on the back of credit or debit Cards. BBB recommends that consumers should also never write PINs on a sheet of paper and carry it in a wallet or purse.
•Instead of signing the back of a credit or debit card, write “check photo ID” in the signature block. Many banks now issue credit/debit cards that display a consumer’s photograph on the front. If this is an available option, BBB recommends taking advantage of this opportunity.
•Check credit card bills and bank statements carefully every month. Look for activity that is not recognized. Many banks now offer online banking services, allowing consumers to check transactions even more frequently. The quicker a problem is recognized, the more the damage can be limited.
•Consumers should make copies of the front and back of all of their credit and debit cards, and then place the copies in a secure location. If cards are stolen or lost, consumers will have all the relevant information that they need to contact the card issuers and report the lost or stolen items.
•Be wary of pre-approved credit offers. A good deal of stolen personal information comes from “pre-approved credit” offers consumers receive in the mail, and then discard unopened. The three major credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) offer a single telephone number through which consumers can opt out of future “pre-approved credit” offers. Call (888) 567-8688 for more information.
Consumers should always be aware that credit and debit cards can pose a serious financial risk if lost or stolen and actively protect themselves at all times.
Contact the BBB at bbb.org or (337) 981-3497 any time of the day or night for information on businesses throughout North America.
The BBB Serving Acadiana services the parishes of Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Lafayette, St. Martin, St. Landry and Vermilion.