Christmas and the holidays are upon us and unfortunately we live in a world where some will try and use such a period of high credit and debit card activity to secure card information for the purpose of making fraudulent charges against cardholders’ accounts. Even though VISA protects VISA cardholders against such fraud, in the end it results in higher costs to consumers for the goods and services they buy. There are things we all can do to help keep such fraud to a minimum.

The following are a few of the suggestions found on the Visa® website :

Reduce your risk and shop safely
Take proactive steps to keep yourself out of harm’s way while you take advantage of the Internet’s convenience and entertainment.

• Make sure your computer has a firewall installed and keep your browser software and anti-virus program updated.
• When you’re done using a public computer, log off and shut down the browser program completely. This will prevent the next user from being able to hit the back button and discover your personal information.
• When shopping online, stick to merchants that have a trustworthy reputation. Read their privacy policy (if you can’t find it, that may be a red flag) and find out what security features are in place.
• Never respond to suspicious emails or click on links inside questionable messages. If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Get more information about email safety and learn how to spot fraudulent messages and websites.
• Seek out safety symbols, including the padlock icon in your browser’s status bar and “s” after “http” in the URL, or the words "Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)." These are your assurance that only you and the merchant can view your payment data.
• Craft strong passwords with more than six characters and try to mix numbers and letters. Use a new password for each site—and keep it to yourself. Never use one-click shopping on a public computer.
• Not sure whether an online merchant is trustworthy? When in doubt, check with the Better Business Bureau.
• Activate Verified by Visa to add an extra layer of protection during online checkout.

Watch for spyware
Spyware is software that consumers unknowingly install on their computers. Once installed, it can be used to track online usage and personal information. You can do a number of things to keep spyware off your system.

• Keep your computer current with the latest operating system, install updates and patches, and select the highest security setting possible on your browser to prevent unauthorized downloads.
• Download only from sites you know and trust; some free applications may be fronts for getting spyware onto your system. Take time to read the fine print too. If you can’t understand the licensing agreement, don’t download the software.
• Enable a pop-up blocker on your browser. Don’t click any links inside a pop-up window, as they can install unwanted software. Instead, get rid of pop-ups by clicking the “X” icon on the title bar.
• Buy anti-virus and anti-spyware software from a reputable vendor, keep it up-to-date, and use it to do regular scans of your computer.

Reduce your risk at ATMs
Using your Visa ATM card is a convenient and safe way to get cash. Make sure you do it the smart way:

• Be aware of your surroundings and listen to your gut. If the ATM is poorly lit or in a concealed location, or if you’re just not feeling comfortable, use another machine. Avoid counting cash or rummaging through personal items while standing at the ATM.
• Guard your PIN. Memorize it and never write it down. Cover the keypad when you enter your PIN, and if you notice suspicious activity, cancel your transaction. You should also take your receipt with you, as it may contain personal information that could be helpful to identity thieves.
• When using a drive-through ATM, lock car doors and roll up other windows. If you walk up to the ATM, don’t leave your car running or unlocked. And never leave ATM or other credit cards in your car’s glove compartment.
• When using an indoor ATM that requires your card for access, avoid letting unknown people in with you.
• Report lost or stolen cards immediately, and sign your new or replacement card as soon as you receive it.

What to watch for at retail stores
No matter how many times you’ve visited the same mall, you should still be careful when shopping at retail locations, so keep these tips in mind the next time you’re at the point of purchase.

• Do business with companies whose reputation and integrity are already familiar to you. If you feel pressured into acting before you’re ready to buy, trust your common sense and take your time.
• Find out the store’s return and exchange policy before you hand over your Visa card. If you have questions that the sales staff can’t answer, consider holding off until you have all the information you need to make an informed purchase.
• Review receipts before you sign them, save customer copies, and check these against your account statements. Notify your card-issuer of any errors or suspicious charges.
• If you discover that you’ve bought damaged merchandise, contact the company immediately.

Before you go
A little bit of preparation on the front end can ensure you don’t hit any bumps when you hit the road.

• Check your card to make sure it won’t expire while you’re away.
• Confirm your credit, as well as your account balance, if you plan to use your check or credit card during your trip. And verify your credit limit, too, so you’ll know how much you’ll be able to charge each day.
• Make a note of your credit and check card numbers, as well as issuer phone numbers, and keep them in a safe place, so you won’t have to scramble in the unlikely event your card is lost or stolen. You should never write down your PIN number, however.
• Before you head out, let your card issuer know that you plan to be traveling to avoid having your unfamiliar transactions flagged as suspicious.
• Purchase tickets using your Visa card. You’ll have proof of purchase if your tickets are lost or stolen or your trip is cancelled.

During your trip
Don’t leave common sense behind when you’re away from home. Follow our advice for traveling safely:

• Avoid leaving cards unattended at work, in a hotel room, recreation areas, or in a locked or unlocked vehicle. Take advantage of the safe or security box provided by the hotel for your valuables.
• Save all of your receipts for proof of purchase. And, when you get home, carefully check them against your monthly statements.

Reduce your risk
Be sure to take these everyday precautions for the general well-being of your financial information.

• Monitor your accounts online at least once a week so you’ll have early notice of any suspicious activities. In addition, paying and monitoring your bills online will eliminate the risk of having printed statements lost, misplaced or removed from your mailbox.
• Get your credit report, and make sure everything appears correct. You’re entitled to a free copy every 12 months, so there’s no reason to hold off.
• Opt in to your financial institution’s offer to have "account alerts" delivered to your cell phone or email. It’s another way of staying on top of your account activity so you can respond promptly if you notice anything amiss.
• Don’t give out financial or other personal information over the phone, unless you initiated the call and have confirmed the identity of the party on the other end. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, including asking for a callback number. Get more information about how you can protect yourself from mail and phone fraud.
• Store important documents in a secure, locked box – preferably a strongbox that cannot be damaged by fire, flood, or other disaster.
• Keep personal records, payroll information, insurance files, and other sensitive information stored securely out of sight to minimize the chances that your papers end up in the wrong hands. Half of all identity fraud is committed by friends, family members, relatives, employees, live-in caregivers, and other individuals working in or around the home.

Check the mail
Your mailbox is an extension of your home and is, therefore, another channel you should protect from unwanted intruders.

• Never give out personal information in a reply envelope. Identity thieves may send out official-looking letters, often posing as banks.
• Beware of notices announcing that you’ve won a prize, such as an expensive TV or car. Some scams request for victims to pay substantial “shipping” fees for delivery, but the prize never arrives. A similar scam is an invitation that asks you to send money in order to participate in a foreign lottery.
• Watch out for bills that do not arrive as expected, unexpected credit card account or account statements, denial of credit for no apparent reason, and letters about purchases you did not make.
• Notify your Post Office or fill out the online form immediately if you change your address. You should also make sure your mailbox is secured, promptly remove delivered mail, and put your postal delivery on hold before you go on vacation.
• If you receive any suspicious correspondence or if a forwarding order has been placed on your mail without your knowledge, contact your Post Office right away. To file a complaint about mail theft or fraud, notify the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

What to watch for
A few common giveaways are emails that: