According to the Federal Trade Commission, credit card fraud costs card holders and issuers millions of dollars each year. Credit card fraud can occur in many ways and often it is done without the perpetrators ever having the card in their hand. This is why it is extremely important to keep your card information safe and secure. There are steps that all of us can take to protect our card information and lessen the risk for being a victim of credit card fraud. Here are seven simple things you can do can to protect yourself from credit card fraud.

1. Review Your Statements
   This is an obvious one, but some people don’t take the time to look at their statements. If you don’t recognize a charge, even if it is a small amount, call your card company and get more details. It might just end up being a purchase you forgot about, but its better to be safe than sorry. Don’t be under the impression that credit card theft only occurs in large amounts. It is the small charges that can easily get over looked and end up costing people a fortune, check out this story $9 Dollars Here, 20 Cents There.
2. Monitor Your Credit Report
   Everyone is eligible for a free credit report form the three major credit bureaus. You get one free report every twelve months from each of the three bureaus. To stay on top of your credit report you can elect to get one report every four months. This way if there are any changes you can react immediately. For a free credit report visit annualcreditreport.com. If you don’t mind paying for the service you can elect to get regular updates if there are changes to your report.
3. Report Missing Cards
   You should periodically check your cards and make sure they are all in your possession. Some of us have cards we use regularly and some we hardly ever use. Just be sure you know the whereabouts of your cards. If a card is missing then call your card company right away and report it. They can cancel your card and often they can rush you out a new one if need be.
4. Report Questionable Charges
   If you see any unrecognizable charges report them right away. Fraud can occur in all dollar amounts so report even the small charges. It might be a case where it was just a charge you forgot about, but it could also be a case where someone has gotten your card information. Even if you still have your card in your possession you and you see an unrecognizable charge you should still report it. Companies often have 24-hour service to deal with lost or stolen card emergencies. By law, once you report your card lost or stolen, you have no further responsibility for unauthorized charges. Your maximum liability under federal law is $50 per card.
5. Sign Your Cards
   As soon as you receive a credit card in the mail you should sign it right away. This just gives yourself an extra bit of security. When a card is not signed, the merchant should ask to see an ID. Sometimes they don’t, but again this is just one small step you can take to protect yourself.
6. Keep A Record of Your Account Information
   Keep some sort of record of you card information. This information could include your card number, the contact information for the issuer, and the expiration date. In the event your card is lost or stolen you will be able to quickly contact the card company and get your card canceled before too much time goes by.
7. Update Your Address
   Always update your address information if there is a change. Most companies allow you to do this online and it takes no time at all. If you don’t update your address and your card company sends you a new card to your old address, then the card could end up in the wrong hands. This is an easy step in make sure your card and account information are safe.

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Gas can be expensive and unfortunately its one of those unavoidable expenses for most of us. One way to cut down your monthly gas expense is either to drive less, or use a gas rebate card. Driving less probably isn’t an option most of us can live with so this article will explore the different types of cards that can help you cut down your gasoline expenses. With these cards you earn a percentage back when you make gasoline purchases. Depending on how much you spend on gas each month this could add up to be quite a savings. There are many different gas cards out there, but in order to maximize your gas rewards you need to know how the cards work and the different options you have to choose from.

Gas Rebate Cards
A gas rebate card works similarly to any rewards card in that the card user gets a percentage of what they spend back. With a gas rebate card the card holder gets a percentage back of what they spend on gas. The percentage they get back usually comes in the form of a credit that is applied to their credit card bill. The rebate percentage that you receive back depends on the card. Each card works differently and this is why comparing cards works to your advantage. Typically, card holders earn between 1 and 6 percent back with a gas rebate card, but the average is about 3 percent. Some cards will offer a higher introductory rate like 6 percent and then it will drop down to a lower percentage after the introductory period.

Most major gas companies offer their own brand specific gas card. With these cards you can only use them at their brand locations. This has its advantages and disadvantages. If you frequent one gas station most of the time and don’t care to shop around for lower gas prices then this type of card might work well for you. However, if you want to shop around for the lowest gas price having a brand specific gas card could interfere with maximizing your rewards. If you travel often you might not always be able to get to a specific gas station either.

Rewards Cards that Offer Gas Rebate
A Gas Rebate Credit Card works differently from a gas card. First, they can be used anywhere because they have either a Visa or MasterCard logo. There are many rewards credit cards that offer gas rebates. The nice thing about these cards is you don’t have to specifically use them for gas and you can earn rewards on other purchases besides gas as well. In this instants the card could offer 3 percent back on gas purchases and 1 or 2 percent back on all other purchases. These cards are sometimes more attractive because they are more flexible. Many of the popular rewards cards offer gas rebates as part of their rewards program.

Additional Factors to Consider
With any card you need to review the terms and conditions of the card. Knowing exactly how the card works will help you determine which card will work for you. Some cards have strict restrictions on how the card works. For example, there are cards that only allow rebates to be earned if you pay at the pump, eliminating the option to pay at the counter. If you don’t know this information then your going to miss out on your savings. It is common for a gas card to have a higher interest rate than a traditional credit card. Knowing this might help you narrow down your search for a card.

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