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tips :: guard your card
Guard Your Card
Guard your card like you would the key to your home. Sign the back of your
card immediately. Keep itand any duplicate cardsin a secure place
where you would know if it was missing. Dont leave it with someone
as a security deposit or as identification. Never lend it out.
And if youre expecting to receive a new or replacement card, keep a
sharp eye on the mail.
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personal information - how to keep it that
way
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report lost or stolen cards.
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are you liable? - know the legal limits
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Keep personal information separate
Your personal information should stay personal. With the exception of mail-order
com-panies, Visa merchants should never require your address or telephone
number to complete a transaction.
AVOID USING YOUR VISA CARD AS PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION. Never let someone
put your card number on a check or any other document not associated with
a purchase on your account. (In some states, it is actually against the law
for merchants to do so.) Instead, use your drivers license or school
ID for identification.
Your card is the key to your account
A thief doesnt need your actual card to make unauthorized purchases
on your account. All he needs is your account number and your cards
expiration date. Thats why its a good idea to TAKE ALL RECEIPTS
AND CARBONS HOME WITH YOU, especially from places like automated teller machines,
supermarkets, and self-sevice gasoline pumps. When its time to destroy
purchase documents or old statements, avoid disposing of them in public trash
containers. NEVER GIVE OUT YOUR ACCOUNT NUMBER to someone calling you on
the phone, even if the caller says it will be used to claim a valuable prize
or award.
If your account has a personal identification number (PIN) for use at ATM
locations, dont write it down. Memorize it instead. And its a
good idea not to pick an obvious PIN, like your address, phone number, or
date of birth.
Review your statements carefully
Mistakes happen. So its important to save your charge receipts and
your credit slips, and compare them to your monthly statements. File your
statements in a secure place for future reference. If you dont keep
your statements, destroy them before throwing them away.
IF YOU DISCOVER AN ERROR on your statement (like an unauthorized charge or
purchase), WRITE TO YOUR CARD ISSUER IMMEDIATELY. (Remember: A phone call
may not guarantee your rights, and it is always more difficult to challenge
a charge once it has been paid.) Be sure to state that it is an unauthorized
charge, which is handled differently than a dispute with a merchant.
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Report lost or stolen card
If your card is lost or stolen, report it immediately. Its a good idea
to keep a list of your account numbers in a safe place along with the
corresponding customer service phone numbers. If you cant find the
number of the organization that issues your card, CALL VISA INTERNATIONAL
TOLL-FREE AT 1-800-336-3386. Outside of the U.S.A., call (410) 581-9994
collect.
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Know your legal liability
If your card is used before you report it lost or stolen, your maximum liability
for unauthorized charges is $50 per card. If you REPORT YOUR CARD LOST OR
STOLEN BEFORE SOMEONE USES IT, your liability is reduced.
If a member of your immediate family (spouse, child, parent) borrows your
credit cardwith or without your knowledgeto make a purchase,
you may be liable for that purchase.
Dont forget to notify your card issuer if you and your spouse become
separated or divorced. Otherwise, you could be liable for charges on your
joint account.
Most unauthorized charges are considered frauda serious crime with
serious consequences. Protect yourself and remove the temptation to others
by keeping your card and account number secure.
Since December 1999 - last modified: February 22, 2012
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