A small but useful Security Tip

With plastic cards becoming the “coin of the realm” for almost everyone these days there are a few things you should do to protect yourself and your money/bank account. There are the obvious things like keeping your card physically secure and guarding your PIN number. Here is one you might not think of though. Everyone one of these little plastic gems has a place on the back that you are supposed to sign, even the debit cards.

Being the well trained citizens that we are most dutifully place their signature on each card when it arrives. How old were you before you tore off one of those tags that says “DO NOT REMOVE UNDER PENNALETY OF LAW” ? I thought so!

The next time you get a new credit or debit card turn it over and write on that little stripe on the back, “REQUEST PHOTO ID” in big letters. Now this is no guarantee since many of the folks working behind sales counters these days don't even bother to check if the card is signed let along compare the signature with the one you just affixed to the slip of paper that they pushed across the counter at you. If however you are defrauded in some manner it will be very hard for the card company or the merchant to place the blame at your doorstep. It will also tell you which stores you deal with that are taking at least minimum measures to protect your transactions.