In an economic environment reeling from the effects of a global financial downturn, consumers must practice sound spending habits. In financially challenging times, consumers must manage their credit cards properly. To help cardholders cope with tough times, credit card companies are offering innovative products that allow clients to spend wisely while gaining the maximum benefits of their credit card usage.

“Financially challenging times call for financial literacy. To spend wisely and maximize the benefits of your credit card, we urge cardholders to follow a set of guidelines to help them secure their credit card accounts,” says Mon Tioseco, Metrobank Card AVP-Head of Usage and Portfolio “These guidelines include information on securing your PIN and credit card number, and managing your transaction receipts and statement of account.” Here are some worthy tips:

1. Keep a record or memorize your credit card number and your issuing bank’s contact details which can be found at the back of your credit card.

2. If you are issued a PIN (Personal Identification Number) for ATM cash advance transactions, memorize it and destroy the mailer on which it was sent to you. Never change your PIN to combinations that could easily be identified such as your birthday.

3. Keep a copy of your transaction receipt as you can match them against your monthly statement of account. Report any charges that you do not recognize immediately or within the designated timeline stated in your statement of account.

4. Never share your credit card details and PIN with any person. Transactions that use your credit card number and PIN may be charged to you.

5. Notify your issuing bank of any changes in your contact details and address.

6. Personally hand over your credit card to the cashier when paying for transactions.

7. Always make sure that the amount on the transaction slip is the actual amount of your purchase before your sign. Never sign a blank transaction slip.

8. Secure your card while shopping. If your card gets lost, call your issuing bank immediately to avoid paying for fraudulent transactions.

9. To ensure that you do not log on to phishing Web site, check that the URL starts with “https”. Moreover, there should be a padlock icon located at the lower right portion of the Web page to indicate that it is a secured Web site.

10. Your issuing bank will never call you to ask for your credit card or your account information. Should you receive such calls or letters, always call your issuing bank through the number at the back of your credit card for verification.

11. Endorse or sign all credit cards as soon as they are received from the bank.

12. Keep a list of your credit card numbers and the card company’s call center / emergency hotline numbers for disputes, questions or reporting a lost or stolen card.

13. Never allow the use of your credit card as reference (credit card number) or an identification card.

14. Take note of how long your card is held by merchants. Be alert if your card is not returned after an unusually long period of time.

15. Keep your credit cards in a secure place.