The information you provide in your credit card application is highly confidential. You reveal the details of your identity which includes your address, your telephone number and your Social Security number, to name a few. Aside from the danger of identity theft when you fill out the application, someone else can use your personal details for other possible frauds and scams. It is then important that you protect the information you reveal in your application. Here is how to do it.
1. Be sure that the in-store credit card booths or online providers are reliable and legitimate. Because there are many offers that usually go with the card, there is a high probability that you will immediately fill out the application, not knowing that it could be a scam. Do a bit of research before accepting offers. If possible, read reviews or do comparison shopping so you will know which one is reliable or not. Also do background checks of the credit card provider.
2. Read the fine print. Get to know the terms and conditions about the credit card offers. This must also include the provider’s privacy or confidentiality policy. This will save you from falling into debt traps and frauds.
3. Shred crumpled or un-submitted credit card application. There was a case about a crumpled form which was used by someone else to apply credit card using the information in that application. The person who took the crumpled application used the data for his application. It was discovered that issuers usually receive applications in any way without necessarily verifying the person’s identity. This may be an uncommon case but it still happens. It may be best to protect yourself by totally tearing to pieces the data of your un-submitted application before you throw it into the trash bin.
4. Get the provider’s customer support number or email addresses. This is important so you can settle complains immediately. Other legitimate companies put their support number in the card or brochures so you can easily access or contact them in case you need to make complaints.
5. Finally, make sure you know where to turn to in cases of fraud and identity theft. Although prevention is better than cure, it is equally important that you are ready to get some aid when you need one.
Although there is no 100 percent secure system in this world, it is best to do some precautions when you reveal your personal data to someone else.
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