Credit Card Security

A. KEEPING YOUR CREDIT CARD SAFE

1. Upon receipt of your new or renewal credit card, immediately sign the signature panel on the reverse side of the card.
2. If you wish to return your credit card to your issuing bank, make sure to punch a hole on the center of the MAGNETIC STRIPE and cut the card through the length of the EMBOSSED CARD NUMBER and SECURITY HOLOGRAM.
3. If you do not have any intention to use the card immediately, keep it in a secured vault at home or at the office. Do not leave your card in the open  to avoid unauthorized usages.
4. Keep a record of your CARD NUMBER, EXPIRATION DATE, and the CONTACT NUMBER of your issuing bank for emergency cases such as loss,theft or damaged cards.
5. If you are issued a PIN mailer for ATM cash-advance facility, memorize the PIN NUMBER and destroy the letter immediately.  You can always ask your issuing bank to reset your PIN should you forget your PIN NUMBER.  

B. HOW YOUR CREDIT CARD SHOULD BE PROCESSED AT MERCHANTS

1. Purchases through credit cards made at retail merchants and restaurants would generally take an average of two minutes. A long processing time would suggest something is wrong with your card and the merchant should always prompt you.
2. Always witness how your card is being processed. As a rule of thumb, your card should always be “within your sight” when the transaction is being processed.  Hand-offs of your credit card  between sales clerks/waiters/cashiers is generally not an accepted practice. You can report this to your issuing bank.
3. Make sure that the amount indicated in the invoice you are signing is the CORRECT TRANSACTION AMOUNT . Do not sign should there be any discrepancy. Call your issuing bank for assistance.
4. If the merchant voids a transaction, there should be  at least 2 sales draft copies with the word “VOIDED”. You should be given ONE COPY to avoid being billed for a voided transaction. Keep a copy of the voided saleslip.   
5. Encircle the transaction amount in the sales slip or cross out the blank space above the word TOTAL. This will prevent tampering of the amount after a transaction has been made.
6. After the transaction is completed, check that the credit card handed back to you is YOURS. There have been incidences of intentional mishandling of cards to commit fraudulent transactions.