1. Try not to let your credit card out of your sight whenever possible.
2. Be very careful to whom you give your credit card. Never give your credit card info out when you receive a phone call. Legitimate companies don't call you to ask for a credit card number over the phone.
3. Never respond to emails that request you provide your credit card info via email -- and don't ever respond to emails that ask you to go to a website to verify personal (and credit card) information. These are called 'phishing' scams.
4. Never provide your credit card information on a website that is not a secure site.
5. Sign your credit cards as soon as you receive them.
6. Don't write your PIN number on your credit card -- or have it anywhere near your credit card.
7. Never leave your credit cards or receipts lying around.
8. Shield your credit card number so that others around you can't copy it or capture it on a cell phone or other camera.
9. Keep a list in a secure place with all of your account numbers and expiration dates, as well as the phone number and address of each bank that has issued you a credit card. Keep this list updated each time you get a new credit card.
10. Only carry around credit cards that you absolutely need. Don't carry around extra credit cards that you rarely use.
11. Open credit card bills promptly and make sure there are no bogus charges. Treat your credit card bill like your checking account -- reconcile it monthly. Save your receipts so you can compare them with your monthly bills.
12. Never write your credit card account number in a public place (such as on a postcard or so that it shows through the envelope payment window).
13. Never lend a credit card to anyone else.
14. If you change your residence, notify your credit card issuers in advance of your change of address.
