8 Easy Ways to Keep Your Money and Credit Card Secured
Keeping one’s money and credit card information safe can be quite challenging in our modern world. After all, there are a lot of technologies that have been developed recently that allows hackers to commit identity theft. They don’t even have to steal our physical wallet anymore to do that. Yep, it really is a scary place that we live in.
Fortunately, there are different ways to keep one’s money and credit card secure, and that’s what we’re going to share with you in this article today. Here they are:
RFID Wallets
The first tip that we can share with you is to use an RFID wallet. It’s a wallet that blocks RFID, or radio frequency identification. It’s a technology being used in most credit cards and other forms of ID today that allow them to provide information with the use of a special scanner via the transmission of electromagnetic fields.
While this technology makes our lives more convenient for sure, it also exposes us to a number of different threats. For instance, just imagine if that type of scanner falls into the wrong hands? You won’t even feel or notice a thief hacking into your precious financial information since no contact is necessary.
Fortunately, there are RFID wallets that can prevent this from happening. Furthermore, there are different types of this wallet that you can choose from:
- Money Clip. For those who only carry a few cards and bills, then getting a money clip will be enough for your needs. It’s also great for those who want to streamline their everyday carry.
- Bifold. For those who carry more than a few bills and cards, then a bifold RFID wallet will probably serve the purpose. It will give you more card slots to use and a bill compartment for your cash.
- Trifold. Finally, for those who need as much space as they can get, then getting a trifold RFID wallet is the best option. It provides more card slots for all your ID and card needs. You’ll surely have enough to fit even your multiple discount cards and receipts in!
Credit Card Reports
There are times when even our best efforts are thwarted, though. If that’s the case, then you can easily catch suspicious activity by thoroughly inspecting your monthly credit card reports. Be sure to double-check recurring payments as well. There are thieves who think in the long run, deducting a small amount from you at a time so you won’t easily notice. Report any suspicious items from your credit card statement immediately.
Basic Credit Card Safety Measures
However, checking your monthly statements is not the only way to keep your credit card safe. You can also practice the following tips for extra measure:
Only purchase from trusted retailers
Avoid using your credit card to purchase from retailers that you don’t necessarily trust, especially online. We completely understand how fun it is to shop online, we’re avid fans of online shopping ourselves, but we’re also very aware of how easy it is to fall into an identity thief’s trap and provide him with our financial info by mistake.
One way to spot a fake or unsafe site is by checking its URL. Those that begin with ‘https’ are usually safer than those that only use the standard ‘http’. The added ‘s’ stands for secure, after all. Pages with an icon from firms like Verisign or McAfee is also a good indication that it’s a safe site.
Never share your credit card information to anyone
Identity thieves are not the only people who can get your information. Unfortunately, there are times when the biggest security threats are the people who are closer to us. What’s worse is that they won’t even have to steal our information from us. All it takes is for us to share it with them willingly for a one-time purchase.
We’re not saying that your friend or relative will deliberately steal from you by using your info without permission, but sharing it with them will expose it to being taken from them as well, this time by actual thieves. Remember, the only person who can keep your financial information safe is you.
Keep your statements in a safe place
Here’s another potential theft waiting to happen: misplacing your credit card statements. After all, your card is not the only source of financial information. All your valuable info, including your credit card number, can be found on your statements too. Hence, make sure to keep them in a safe place.
Dispose of your statements properly
And when the moment comes that you don’t need them anymore, shred them before throwing them away. This will keep prying eyes from your precious credit card info.
Front Pocket Wallets
As for your extra cash, you might want to use a front-pocket wallet as well. This type of wallet is designed to fit your front pocket with ease without being unnecessarily bulky. What we like most about this type of wallet is that it also lessens the lower back pain caused by sitting on a back pocket wallet for so long!
Creativity
Finally, sometimes all we need is a little bit of creativity to keep our belongings safe. For instance, you should consider keeping your money in places where no one else would suspect, like an empty pill jar or a hidden pocket within your clothes. In this way, even if someone rummages through your belongings, you’re sure that they won’t find your valuables because they’re all tucked in your secret hiding spaces.
So you see, keeping your money and credit card safe is really not that hard. Just take advantage of modern tools like RFID wallets and be more responsible with your belongings to add an extra layer of security.
By keeping the tips we have shared with you in mind, we’re sure that you won’t be an easy target for theft, whether you’re simply going out to buy groceries, or you’re out there exploring the world.
Mariam Simmons is a trend setter at Alpine Swiss and fashion enthusiast with a love for writing. She loves traveling to the world’s top stylish destinations and gets inspired to create helpful fashion and lifestyle guides.