Allan Oulate shares a presentation discussing how to protect your credit card (or score) during the holiday season.

1. How to Protect Your Credit Card (Or
Score) During the Holidays
by Allan Oulate

2. Credit card fraud is a
problem that occurs all
year long. However, during
the holidays, there is a
significant increase in this
crime occurring. Falling
victim can damage your
credit in a flash and your
credit score can take a hit
in the process. There are
certain steps you can take
to protect both your credit
card and credit score
during the holidays.

3. Always Be Aware of
Your Surroundings

4. Because you will be out
shopping frequently
around the holiday season,
it is absolutely essential to
always be aware of your
surroundings. When you
are walking around the
mall or even outside on
your way to a store, be
alert and keep your eyes
open for anyone or
anything that might
appear suspicious.

5. People can innocently
bump into you, but be
careful. Pickpockets
happen in the most
seemingly innocent ways.
If you are a woman, hold
tightly to your purse and
keep it in clear view in
front of you at all times.

6. Put your wallet at the
bottom of your purse or in
a secure pocket within.
Men should keep their
wallets in an inner coat
pocket.

7. Guard Your Pin
Number

8. If you are making trips to
the ATM or are paying for
your purchases with your
debit card at stores over
the holidays, always guard
your pin number.

9. People can easily snoop by
hovering directly behind
you or to the side and can
get a quick glimpse when
you enter your pin. If you
do notice someone
standing a little too close to
you for your comfort, ask
them to step back.

10. You should also quickly
glance over the machine to
make sure nothing seems
unusual, as thieves today
install devices that can
steal your pin number.

11. Use Your
Smartphone to Pay

12. One of the best ways to
make purchases and keep
your credit card safe
during the holidays is to
instead use your
smartphone.

13. For example, Apple Pay on
the iPhone is a lot more
secure because it doesn’t
actually use your credit
card number.

14. Instead, it relies on a
transaction specific
dynamic security code that
is unique each time you
make purchases. Of course,
you should ensure that
your smartphone is secure
with a passcode intact and
your fingerprint scanner
active as well.

15. Avoid Opening New
Credit Card
Accounts

16. You may feel pressured
over the holidays to open a
new credit card account,
even if it’s one for a specific
store. Don’t do that,
because it can actually
negative affect your credit
score. This is especially the
case if you only have one
card.

17. Your credit will take a
definite dip, which is not
worth it during the
holidays when you’re so
busy shopping for friends
and family.

18. Sign Up for Credit
Monitoring

19. Signing up for a credit
monitoring service will
help keep your credit safe
during the holidays. That
way, you will be protected
and will be alerted in the
event that someone tries to
fraudulently open an
account in your name.

20. The services offered are
also reported to the three
major credit reporting
bureaus of Equifax,
Experian and TransUnion.

21. For more
information, visit
Oulatefinancial.com