10 Easy Ways to Keep Your Money and Credit Card Secured

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When it comes to your finances, it is always a must to take proactive steps to ensure that your money remains in a safe and secure place. After all, it’s your hard-earned money, and losing it out of recklessness is something that you probably can’t afford to happen.

If you are someone who is always on the go, it might be harder for you to keep track of your cash and cards—making you extra vulnerable to theft and scams. But don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be that way forever.

Learning the basic tips on how to keep your money and cards secure wherever you are is a good starting point.

So what exactly can you do? Here are 10 easy ways to keep your money and credit card secured.

1. Keep your card details to yourself

Your bank does its best to keep your financial information secure, but keep in mind that you are still the first line of defense here. If your details end up in the wrong hands, may it be intentional or not, there’s only so much you can do to ward off the scammers. So don’t let anyone have access to your credit card details. incomeholic.com shares related guides you can also check out.

2. Be cautious of the websites you visit

Over the years, internet fraud has been so widespread that you could be a victim to them just by visiting a seemingly harmless site. If a website is poorly designed or has multiple pop-up windows, it is a telltale sign that it’s not as harmless as you think.

Suspicious sites often lure you into divulging your credit card information using unpropitious offers. To stay safe, never provide any details and close the website immediately. Always keep in mind that if it’s too good to be true, it probably is.

3. Create unique and strong passwords for your phone and bank accounts

If you have multiple bank accounts, it’s best to secure them with unique passwords that can’t be decrypted by hackers. Once a single password gets compromised, you put all your other accounts in danger, too.

Your phone’s lock is also your first protection against theft. Make sure that no one else knows your phone’s lock code.

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4. Check your account often

Constantly monitoring your recent account activity is one of the easiest ways you can do to keep your credit cards secure. If you report any suspicious activities immediately, you lessen the chances of more destructive attacks.

5. Report lost cards immediately

In an unfortunate event that you lose your credit card, contact your bank or credit card company as soon as you can so that they can block anyone from taking advantage of your lost card. It’s much cheaper to get a card replacement than having to pay for transactions that you didn’t even do in the first place.

6. Invest in an RFID wallet

If you want to ensure that nobody steals your data while you’re out and about, it’s time that you invest in an RFID-blocking wallet. Radio-frequency identification (RFID) wallets prevent anyone from picking up the data in your credit cards inside the wallet. These stylish men’s wallets could come in handy for people who prefer to carry their cards with them all the time.

Here are some of the most popular RFID wallets in the market:

Money clip wallets

This type of wallet lets you comfortably carry your cash in a fastened money clip all while securing your stuff with its RFID protection.

Bifold wallets

Considering it as a slight upgrade, bifold wallets can carry more than what money clips can hold. This means that you can protect a lot more cards from potential interference.

Slim wallets

Just like money clip wallets, slim wallets are small enough to fit in your pocket, yet they offer the same level of protection. This will appeal to those who want to cut out the clutter in their pockets.

7. Stash your cash in a secure place

When traveling, carry only the cards and money that you need for a specific amount of time. The ones you carry with you all the time should be kept in a safe and secure place, like the back pocket in your backpacks.

8. Avoid using public Wi-Fi networks

Public Wi-Fi networks can eavesdrop on your browsing activity, including your transactions in trusted sites like your bank. It isn’t the safest way to browse, but there might be situations where you need to connect to the Internet and all you have is a public Wi-Fi network. If you need to, use a VPN to safeguard your connection and keep those prying eyes away from your browsing activity.

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9. Buy only from trusted retailers

It’s easy to get carried away when you are checking local shops when traveling. But you should be very careful when purchasing goods or availing services using your credit card. As much as possible, pay by cash.

And in situations when you run out of options but to use your card, make sure you trust the retailer or shop. This is because fraudsters have found a way to copy your credit card information without you noticing. POS (Point of Sale) terminals can be hacked into copying your details. So make sure to purchase only on trusted or verified retailers.

10. Dispose of your account statements properly

You should properly dispose of your ATM receipts, bank, and credit card statements. Throwing them away without shredding or tearing valuable information into pieces, or just leaving them anywhere will make you a vulnerable victim. Lessen the chances of letting anyone have access to your details by accident.

Summing it up

It’s never been more important to keep your money and credit cards secure. But by just practicing the good habits above, you can easily keep those scammers and fraudulent activities at bay. So always stay on the lookout!