When it comes to safeguarding your personal information, diligence is key. As credit card fraud continues to become more commonplace, consumers need to be cognizant when it comes to credit card use as well as whose hands their information is ending up in.

The following precautions, from MasterCard, will help you keep your credit cards secure and prevent fraud.

-Be skeptical of unsolicited phone calls, email, text messages, or social media messages if they request credit card data or personal information such as passwords, date of birth, social security number, etc.
-Examine links contained within emails or on any email attachments sent by an unknown or un-validated source no matter how harmless or familiar the title appears. If you really want to be safe, delete the message unless you are able to confirm the sender is legitimate.
-If you followed an email link to a website (or a text message to a voice recording system) and provided card data that later seemed suspicious, contact your credit card issuer immediately so your account can be protected.
-Guard against compromise by ensuring your home computer(s) have up-to-date anti-malware, anti-spam and firewall software installed.
-Keep track of your credit cards and be sure to regularly review statements for unknown purchases/cash advances. If you see any unusual transactions, contact your issuer right away.
-Do not share your credit card and PIN details via email or text message.
-The vast majority of merchant websites are reputable, however, leave a suspicious site immediately if you suspect it is not what it claims to be.

Source: MasterCard Canada/RISMedia

Ruth Schoenherr of Innovative Mortgage, Clearwater, is a mortgage broker who will help you find homes loans in the Clearwater, Palm Harbor, Largo, Safety Harbor, Tampa, St. Petersburg area.  For more information, go to her web site at www.clearwatermortgagebroker.net.