Tips to Avoid Credit Card Fraud Over the Holidays

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Chase. All opinions are 100% mine.

Credit card fraud is everywhere these days. And with the hustle and bustle of preparing for the holidays, it can be hard to keep an eye on our bank and credit card accounts.  So that’s why I thought there’s no time better than the present to share these five tips on How to Avoid Credit Card Fraud Over the Holidays with you.

A couple of months ago I saw a suspicious charge on my credit card statement from an online purchase. The card was still in my possession, so I had no idea how my credit card information was obtained. It’s possible my card was skimmed. It was incredibly unnerving and created a whirlwind of headaches from filing fraud charges to sitting at my local police station for a couple of hours filing a report.

However, it has made me more aware and vigilant when it comes to checking my accounts.  With the holidays approaching, now is an important time to be on the alert to avoid credit card fraud.

Tips on How to Avoid Credit Card Fraud Over the Holidays

Take a few easy steps to protect yourself against fraud this holiday season:

1. Monitor Your Cards.  Sign up to access your credit and debit card statements online instead of in the mail, and monitor them every few days. Another smart move is to download your bank’s mobile app so you can check your account on-the-go, especially during the holidays and other busy shopping seasons.
2. Credit vs. Debit.  Use credit cards over debit cards and try to use only one card for certain purchases — it helps keep things more simplified when monitoring.
3. Account Alerts. Sign up for account alerts so your bank is able to notify you of suspicious activity. And make sure your contact information is up to date so your bank can reach you right away. Chase offers support such as 24/7 fraud monitoring and zero-liability protection, which means you won’t be held responsible for fraudulent charges made with your account. You can also visit the Chase website to learn more about how Chase can protect you against fraud.
4. ATMs.  Use your bank ATMs or credible ones to help avoid debit card skimming.
5. Online Purchases. Use websites of established retailers and type the web address directly into your browser, or use a trusted search engine when searching for the retailer’s website. NEVER click links in your email or social media posts to access retailer websites. Stick with sites that you trust and try not to use debit cards for online purchases.

When monitoring your accounts and fighting fraud, vigilance is key!  Stay attentive and aware…  and have a fraud-free holiday.

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