Don’t Let Credit Card Fraud Spoil Your Holidays

No one loves the holidays more than scammers and thieves. Credit card purchases offer prime opportunities for bad guys, so consumers must remain extra vigilant. Origin Bank offers a few simple safeguards to help ensure your holidays aren’t spoiled by prying eyes looking for personal information.

Keep an eye on your credit. Credit monitoring services can alert you to suspicious activity fairly quickly. Changes in your credit score could signal suspicious activity, but there are other things to keep an eye on, too. Watch for changes in the number of open accounts and with your percentage of available credit used. Both can be early warning signs that somebody has your credit card information.

Be careful when giving out your credit card or debit number. This is crucial, especially when making purchases at stores you don’t regularly visit, whether it’s in person, online or over the phone. For additional tips to secure your computers and mobile devices for Internet shopping, check out Origin’s Online Safeguards.

Use passwords to protect your accounts. Always use strong passwords on your online credit/debit and bank accounts and passcodes on your mobile devices. Hackers are good at breaking into computer systems to steal personal information. Using difficult passwords and passcodes makes it much more difficult for them to gain access.

Cut down on the paper trail. Switching to electronic statements eliminates waste and makes it harder for scammers to find your information. Signing up for Origin Bank’s eStatements and SecurLOCK services provide extra security, including text, voice or email alerts in real time when suspicious activity takes place. You can also approve or deny charges as they happen.

As the holiday whirlwind begins, don’t put your financial life at risk. Taking a few precautions can lower your stress level and let you focus on the joy the season brings. Learn more about protecting your personal data by contacting the Origin team today.