How To Protect yourself Against Credit Card

Hacks and Prevent Virus-Malware-Spyware

online/Internet Computer Hackers from

Stealing your Money and Your Identity

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Data breaches are now part of life, and you need to know how to protect yourself. Since hackers

are going after the companies that hold your information, it’s hard to stop them from getting your

information. All the same, you can take steps to minimize the damage. Even if you haven't been

hacked yet, many of these moves can make your information less easy to find and less usable if

you are caught up in a breach.

1. Get a Replacement Card

If you've been told you're in a data breach, don’t ask…tell the company that you either get a new

card or close the account. You’re not likely to get any pushback from the already embarrassed

company. If you do, don’t back down.

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2. Check Your Account Online

Don’t wait to check it when the statement arrives; check today. Keep checking daily for at least

30 days after your new card arrives. If you find a suspicious charge, dispute it immediately.

3. Freeze Your Credit

If you are caught up in a data breach, call each of the three main credit bureaus and request that

your credit report be frozen. Freezing doesn’t allow anybody to access your credit report without

your approval. Creditors probably won’t approve an application without having access to the

person’s credit report.

If you're deeply worried about potential breaches, you can also freeze your accounts; you don't

have to be a fraud victim. However, this step makes getting any kind of credit exceedingly

cumbersome for you and and the potential lender, so you may want to think twice about taking it.

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4. Order Your Credit Reports

You get one free credit report per year by law, but you’ll probably be eligible for more frequent

free reports if you were a victim of fraud. Even if you haven't been targeted yet, be proactive and

get your free reports. Ideally, order one every four months so you've covered the year.

5. Watch for Phishing Scams

Just because thieves have your credit card number doesn’t mean they also have the expiration

date and the three- or four-digit CVV number. Beware of phishing, a scam where the thief might

send an e-mail or call in an attempt to gain the rest of the information. Don’t give your

information to anybody unless you call them. If somebody leaves a message, go to the

company’s website and find a contact number to make sure it matches what the person in the

message provided. For even more security, call the company directly and make sure the person

who called you is legitimate.

6. Don’t Sign Up for High-Priced Fraud Protection

In the panic of the moment, you might be tempted to shell out up to $300 per year for credit

monitoring services. Don’t do it. By closely reviewing the information you get free of charge,

you can monitor your own accounts. If a company provides the information to you free of

charge, make sure to cancel the service before the renewal date.

7. Be Smart About Passwords

You aren’t going to prevent a breach by employing all of the password rules, but you don’t know

what kind of information thieves were about to steal. Employ strong passwords (those random

letters and numbers) and change your password frequently. Remember, if it’s easy for you to

remember, it's probably easy for a savvy cyber thief to crack.

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The Bottom Line

If you haven't been a victim yet, act proactively to make yourself less vulnerable.

If you have, don’t panic. It’s going to take time to clear everything up, but you won’t pay for any

charges that weren’t yours. Call your credit card company, tell it about any incorrect charges and

be patient as it works to clear them from your account.

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