Credit Card Security:
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Don’t give your credit card account number out over the phone without knowing why.
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Don’t use your credit card on an unsecured website.
a. A secure website has “https” at the beginning of the web address. The “s” means “secure”.
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Don’t put your credit card account number on the outside of an envelope, postcard, or any public place. It seems obvious, but people constantly do this!
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Don’t post confidential info on social networking sites.
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Don’t sign a blank charge slip.
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Check your monthly statement.
a. “Mistakes” and charges you didn’t make are a tell-tale sign someone else has access to your card. Sometimes smaller “test” charges are done before a major charge takes place.
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Cut up old credit cards through the account number and magnetic strip or chip.
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Carry as few credit cards as possible. It’s easier to stay on top of fewer accounts.
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When using ATM bank cards, be aware of “skimmers”. If the card doesn’t seem to fit properly, don’t use the machine.
Credit Repair
If you have a poor credit history, the only way to improve your credit is time. Making scheduled payments on time and on a consistent basis will increase your FICA score and improve your credit report.
You are protected under the Federal Credit Repair Organization Act.
- A credit repair company cannot take money from you before services are completed.
- Before you sign a contract, the credit repair company must tell you, in writing, what your legal rights are.
- A credit repair company must give you a written contract which clearly describes all of the terms and conditions of payment, a detailed description of services to be provided and an estimate of how long it will take to complete those services.
- You have three days to cancel the contract between you and the credit repair company. Any contract that is made between you and the credit company that does not comply with the laws is void.
- Credit repair companies are prohibited from making deceptive claims about their services.
If you want to know about your credit, contact the three credit bureaus cited below:
Equifax
800-685-111
http://www.equifax.com
Experian
888-397-3742
http://www.experian.com
Trans Union
800-888-4213
http://www.transunion.com
If you find a problem, the credit bureau has thirty business days to investigate and must inform you of its findings within ten days of concluding its investigation.
Page Last Updated: 3/24/2020 1:02:00 PM