Tips for preventing credit card fraud:

Work with American Express® to prevent credit card fraud by applying the following tips to your everyday life:

Never let anyone else use your credit card
Immediately sign the back of new credit cards
Always destroy old, expired cards
Protect your credit cards just as you would cash
Never write your card number on the outside of an envelope or postcard
Never write—or allow a merchant to write—your card number on a check for identification purposes
When paying bills, only mail checks with your card number on them in envelopes that aren't see-through
Tear up pre-approved credit card offers, old checks, and deposit slips before throwing them away
Never write your Personal Identification Number (PIN) on your cards
Never carry your PIN in your wallet or purse
If you don't plan to leave a tip, draw a line through the "tip" or blank lines on the charge slip. This will prevent someone else from adding more to the total.
Keep copies of your charge slips and returns. Compare these to your statement when it arrives
Immediately call the card issuer should an unrecognized charge or charges appear on one of your statements
When ordering online, only use "Secure" Web pages (a Web page is secure if there is a locked padlock in the lower left-hand corner of your browser)
Never release your card number, card identification number, PIN, or password to an unknown party (Note: Credit Card Companies will not request any of this information if we are calling you—we may only request this information if you are calling us. Beware of parties contacting you and requesting this information)
Safeguard all of your personal information, especially your Social Security Number (SSN) and date of birth—this information can be used to steal your identity. If your drivers license number is the same as your SSN, you may want to request a new license with a different number
Review your credit bureau reports regularly. This may be the only way to identify fraudulent activity if you are the victim of identity theft—or sign up for CreditSecure® from American Express and let us monitor your credit for you
Keep a list of all your credit card numbers in case of theft, and notify each card issuer immediately if theft occurs—or better yet, sign up for Credit Card RegistrySM, a service from American Express that will handle all of this for you. Call 1-800-CCR-AMEX ext. 454 to enroll today