How to Protect Your New Credit Card Account

Getting your first credit card is an exciting milestone. Using it the right way — like making on-time payments and keeping a low balance — will help you build your credit and set you up for success when you need to do things in the future like renting an apartment or getting a loan.

The other thing you need to do is keep an eye out for fraud. Luckily, there are things that you can do to make it harder for someone to access your credit card information. Here are five easy ways to help protect yourself against credit card fraud.

#1: Use Secure Websites

There are two ways to tell if a website is secure:

1. There’s a padlock on the left side of the address bar.
2. The web address starts with: “https”.

#2: Make Online Purchases on Secure Networks

Avoid using your credit card on public Wi-Fi networks like at a local coffee shop or the library. These networks increase the chance that your information will be intercepted by thieves.

#3: Don’t Save Credit Card Information on Shopping Sites

Data breaches happen all the time to companies big and small. Lower your risk of having your credit card information stolen by typing your card number every time you buy something online.

#4: Keep your Social Media Free of Sensitive Information

While pets, trivia, and favorite foods make great posts, they make for passwords and security questions that can be easy to guess. How? Because thieves often look at social profiles to piece together the information they can use to access accounts. P.S. This is also why you shouldn’t post a picture of your new credit card—even if some numbers are hidden.

#5: Put Extra Eyes on Your Credit with Monitoring

Credit monitoring enables you to track changes in your credit score and access your credit reports. It can also help you spot possible fraud. Your new CommunityAmerica Starter Credit Card gives you free credit monitoring. Learn more about applying.