These tips are important and universal:

• Make certain you get your card back after you make a purchase (one way to dot his: leave your wallet open in your hand until you have the card back). Also, make sure that you personally rip up any voided or cancelled sales slips.
• Don't give your credit card number over the telephone unless you initiated the call.
• Keep a list of your credit cards, credit-card numbers and relevant toll-free numbers in a safe place, in case your cards are stolen or lost.
• Sign your card-as soon as you receive it. (Obviously, this is only as effective as the clerk who's checking it.)
• Don't leave your receipt behind at the ATM. Your PIN and account number from a discarded receipt could make you vulnerable to credit card fraud.

        When you use your card at an ATM, enter your PIN in such a way that no one can easily       memorize your keystrokes.