5 Proven Strategies to Keep Your Credit Card Safe From Fraud

Credit card fraud can throw a massive wrench in your financial plans. You're minding your business buying a coffee or ordering takeout, and some scammer manages to snag your credit card number. The next thing you know, they're out spending your money.

Unfortunately, credit card fraud is on the rise, but the good news is that there are simple strategies to protect yourself. By being a little proactive, you can keep your cards -- and your money -- safe from sneaky criminals.

1. Set up alerts for every transaction

This is the easiest way to ensure you notice fraudulent transactions quickly. Most credit card companies allow you to set up real-time transaction alerts, so you get a text or push notification every time the card is used. This way, if something fishy happens, you'll catch it immediately instead of not noticing until your statement comes out.

If you're worried constant notifications will get annoying, some cards also allow you to set specific rules for the alerts. For example, American Express emails me only if my card is used online, not in person. This can help cut down on alerts but still allow you to keep an eye on transactions.

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2. Use tap to pay when possible

One way fraudsters get access to your card number is by replacing the card swiper on point-of-sale systems with their own. They can then access your numbers and go on a spending spree. Using tap to pay is more secure and prevents fraudsters who might have tampered with the POS terminal from gaining access to your credit card information.

3. Activate two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication is a game changer when shopping online. Many credit card companies offer it as an added layer of security for online transactions. Every time you go to use your card, it asks for a code that is sent to your phone.

This means that even if someone gets their hands on your card number, they'll need more than just that to make a purchase. It's a bit of a hassle, but it's totally worth it for the peace of mind. You can also activate it on your savings account login so scammers can't access your bank accounts.

4. Consider using virtual credit card numbers

Some credit card issuers allow you to generate one-time-use virtual credit card numbers to use instead of your actual credit card number. The charge goes to your credit card, just like any other purchase, but if fraudsters steal the number, it's worthless because the number no longer works.

These are perfect for online shopping, as they work just like a regular credit card but are valid for only one transaction or a set budget. (Virtual credit card numbers are also ideal for subscriptions you might forget to cancel.)

5. Be cautious with free wifi

Unsecured, public wifi is the Wild West when it comes to online security. While it might feel convenient to check your bank balance at the coffee shop or order a pizza on your subway ride home, using public wifi networks can make it easier for hackers to intercept your information. That's why you'll often see the notification that "others can intercept information on this network."

If you need to access sensitive accounts, use your home wifi, log into a VPN to keep your connection private, or better yet, use your mobile data.

Credit card fraud might feel inevitable. However, a few easy steps can drastically reduce your risk of fraud. It's all about being proactive and paying attention to your credit card accounts.