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Having a credit card saves time but they can be a pain sometimes. The credit card accounts are tricky enough to have and the ways to get into credit trouble is out there in the form of overextending yourself or not being able to make the right payments each month but the worst of all is the fact that scammers are out there waiting for you. Credit cards are the perfect way for those wanting to steal and defraud you of your money to take advantage of your good credit. The famous saying of "Buy Now Pay Later" is a perfect example of this. Being a mature and responsible credit card holder means that you do more to protect your credit than making sure you do not go over the set limit and paying the payments when due. Listed below are the top scams of today.

1. Stolen Credit Cards - Cards stolen or lost help to make up the largest part of scams and frauds. Those who have stolen the credit cards will buy large ticket items before you even know the cards are gone and reported missing to the credit card companies and there is no way to trace who did it. If the card is signed by the owner, the company or store where the card is used may not even be verified by the cashier before swiping the card.
   
   
2. Stolen Credit Information - those who are taking the credit cards as payment may have an employee who chooses to take the numbers and use them for themselves. They might be so bold as to write down all the information on the card such as you three digit security number and the expiration date along with the number making it easy to buy online. You will not even know the card has been used if your statement is a long way off from coming in. this will make it harder for you to recoup the money you lost because the issuer may not believe the charges are someone else's.
   
   
3. Having your information without your permission - this is more your fault than the ones who take the information and use it. They may be able to go through your trash or find a receipt containing your complete credit card number. Again, you will not know about the charges until the statement arrives because there is nothing to clue you in to the use.
   
   
4. Fraudulent or Phony Phone Calls - There are some scammers who can sound very convincing as to being members of one of the major credit card issuers. They will call you and give you a very convincing story about how someone has used you card and they may even be able to give you a few numbers on the card to make it even better. They will then ask for personal information to verify that the card is yours like the three digit code on the back. They then take this information and use it to buy items online and by phone.
   
   
5. Identity theft - Those wanting to fraud you will use your information and take total control of your identity. They will try to get new credit cards in your name by using your information and have the pin numbers and cards sent somewhere other than your address. The bad part is that it may be months before it shows up because of unmade payments by the crooks and then your credit is ruined or severely damaged.
   
   
6. Computer Created Numbers - Thieves will use computers to create more credit card numbers that relate to the information on one card. The numbers will be very close to the card they have. A guess method is used to come up with expiration dates. It only takes a few tries to get it all right and then they are in business. For businesses that do not ask for specific information about the card or holder, it is very easy to get by with it.
   
   
7. Fraudulent Ads - Ads that are used for the problem credit accounts or those that offer you credit no matter what you score is can be a bad idea to participate in. Any offers to completely clear your credit are bogus and not true. A 900 number may be used and the offer gives you a chance to get a card by a security deposit or they may have other costs that need to be paid first. You could have outrageous interest amounts also. You pay for the 900 call with nothing in return.
   
   
8. Information Emails - False emails claiming to have a good credit card deal for you will do nothing but cause you grief in the long run. Any email asking you for personal information is not worth considering. If they cannot take your privacy into consideration, they are probably out for no good. The whole point is to scare you with the email or that your account has been compromised and the information is given freely. Taking a few minutes to think it through and to call your card provider to verify is not going to make or break you credit score. Do not let them make you afraid.
   
   
9. Fake Cards - There is technology available to take your credit card information off the card when you swipe it through a machine. These electronic machines take the numbers from the card for future use.
   
   
10. Meeting the cards in the mail - there are individuals who will take your credit card mail and use the cards for themselves. If the card does not need to be verified, it is even easier. You will not even know the card has been taken because it is new and the first statement will come in and blow you away.
    
    

Now you know about some of the credit card frauds and scams out there, you can now begin to guard your credit with these guidelines.

1. Never give any personal information to anyone except verified personnel who need it to give you credit. Do not even trust friends or relatives with this information.
   
   
2. Your credit cards need to be separated from your wallet by carrying them in a place of their own.
   
   
3. Have only a few credit cards so it will be easier to take care of them. The more you have the worse it gets in keeping them straight. You could lose one and not even know it for months.
   
   
4. Never sign anything blank such as receipts. They all need to be filled out completely.
   
   
5. Do not sign up for credit through email or by phone. The numbers you receive should be checked with credit card issuer to validate the information.
   
   
6. Put your signature on your credit card when you get it in the mail.
   
   
7. Do not throw away your receipts from purchases. Have an envelope to save them for when your monthly statement comes in. Make sure all your receipts match what is on the statement. If it does not, you need to call your issuer about the charge.
   
   
8. For any receipts you have that contain the credit card number, make sure they are destroyed so no one can get them.
   
   
9. For any lines about the total such as for tips, make sure your draw a clear line or put a 0 in the amount to make sure they are not added later by someone else.
   
   
10. When you realize your card is gone or taken by another call your issuer immediately so action can be taken to protect the account.
    
    
11. Never give your card to anyone, EVER!
    
    
12. When giving the card to those taking payment, do not let the card out of your sight to ensure they are not doing something with it that could be bad for you.
    
    
13. Keep track of your credit cards and keep them in one secure place.
    
    
14. All papers containing your numbers need to be shredded before they are thrown away.
    
    
15. Try to get your photo on all your credit cards.

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