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Protect Your Credit Cards This Holiday Season

Written by:

Adam Beckles

Edited by:

Kristin Marino

Updated on April 24, 2023

As Americans gear up for the holiday season many will be turning to credit cards to pay for travel, home décor, holiday meals, and gifts. According to the Federal Reserve it’s estimated that last year Americans racked up more than $851 billion in credit card debt.

If you’re one of many using your credit cards to pay for you holidays expenses you’ll want to make sure you’re keeping your accounts safe. One misstep could lead to months, if not years, of issues affecting your credit report and how you borrow money. Protect yourself from identity theft this holiday season by following these simple do’s and don’ts when using your credit cards.

Do sign your cards or mark them as see I.D.
Don’t carry around credit cards you don’t need
Don’t place your card on a counter, you might forget it and someone could easily swipe it
Do shred your credit card applications
Do keep your statements and additional credit card information in a safe place
Do use a password to protect your home WiFi connection
Don’t give out your credit card information over the phone (unless it is to your creditor) or email
Do read your statements online or when they come in via snail mail to make sure no false charges have been made
Do shred your receipts if you don’t need them
Don’t lend your card to anyone

With the breach of many accounts as of late it’s important to be as safe as you can when using your credit cards this holiday season. You should also consider using cash in lieu of credit cards to steer clear of holiday debt!

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Loan availability, rates, APRs (Annual Percentage Rate), and other terms vary by advertiser and borrower attributes, including borrower location. Lenders have a range of available APRs; only borrowers with excellent credit will qualify for the lower rates. As of 01/11/2024, our advertisers were offering loans to some consumers for as little as a 6.40% APR on a three-year $100,000 loan.

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