Ways your credit card info might be stolen and how to prevent it
Keep an eye out for fraud and take these steps to mitigate the damage if you find any.
8 min read
Oct 10, 2024
Claire Dickey
Former Editor, Credit Cards
EXPERTISE
- Rewards credit cards
- Travel credit cards
- Credit card news
- Building credit
EDUCATION
- A.B.J. Advertising, Grady College of Journalism at The University of Georgia
There’s no reason to feel intimidated by a credit card. As long as you pay off your purchases every month, there’s little risk and tons of upside.
— Claire Dickey
Claire Dickey is a credit cards editor at Bankrate, focusing on news, product guides and educational content. Her areas of expertise include rewards and travel credit cards, building credit and credit card news. Always on the lookout for the latest credit cards and card perks, as well as cards-related legislation and regulations, Claire is passionate about demystifying personal finance topics. Her goal is to help readers save money, earn rewards and protect their credit scores.
When she’s not strategizing about how to maximize rewards on her next trip, Claire is an avid runner and day hiker.
Claire wants you to know
If you’re trying to build credit, my best advice is to keep things simple. A credit card is a great way to show your creditworthiness, but picking one can be overwhelming since there are so many options out there and so many features to consider. Stick to the basics: Look for a card with low fees and the option to put down a large deposit and get a matching credit limit. If you pay on time and only charge small purchases to the card, your score can grow surprisingly quickly.
Claire's recommended readings
- How do travel credit cards work?
- Tips for planning summer travel with your credit card
- Bilt is offering double the points on flights to Europe today only, plus other Bilt Rent Day perks
There’s no reason to feel intimidated by a credit card. As long as you pay off your purchases every month, there’s little risk and tons of upside.
— Claire Dickey
Claire's latest articles
-
-
U.S. Bank Cash+ Visa Signature Card vs. Chase Freedom Flex
Compare and contrast these two top of the line rotating bonus category cards.
5 min read Sep 18, 2024 -
The Venmo Debit Card: Is it right for you?
Mobile payments app Venmo offers a debit card and rewards for spending.
5 min read Jun 04, 2024 -
Discover it Cash Back vs. Discover it Chrome
The best card depends on your spending habits and personal preferences.
6 min read May 31, 2024 -
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
The Platinum Select World Elite card offers an ample sign-up bonus, no annual fee for the first 12 months ($99 thereafter) and great yearly bonuses that add to your mileage pool.
6 min read Apr 25, 2024 -
What is the Path to Apple Card program?
The program offers personalized tasks and monthly progress checks.
3 min read Feb 06, 2024 -
Achieve New Year’s goals with these cards
Earn credit card rewards on spending you’re already doing.
7 min read Jan 09, 2024 -
Coinbase Card: Everything you need to know
Learn more about the card’s fees, features and more.
3 min read Oct 30, 2023
-
How to pay off credit card debt in one year
Making only minimum payments could keep you in credit card debt for decades, but here are some strategies to become debt-free within a year.
4 min read Jun 02, 2023 -
Travel inflation starts to ease, but prices remain high
Inflation may be slowing, but travel costs remain high. Here’s how to have fun on a budget this summer.
4 min read May 26, 2023 -
Credit card balances match record high in Q1 2023
Americans’ credit card balances plateaued at a record high in early 2023, the first time in two decades they didn’t fall during the first quarter of the year.
3 min read May 19, 2023 -
Can you get COVID from a credit card?
Cash and plastic cards were not COVID-19 vectors then, and they aren’t now.
4 min read May 17, 2023 -
What is the date of first delinquency on credit card debt?
There is a time limit for how long a delinquent payment is on credit reports.
3 min read May 17, 2023 -
Amazon credit cards change names, add benefits
Two of Amazon’s credit cards have new names and new benefits. Here’s what changed.
3 min read May 12, 2023 -
Guide to Air France/KLM Flying Blue
Book affordable award flights to Europe with the Flying Blue rewards program.
9 min read May 12, 2023 -
How one family used credit card rewards to finance their nomad life
Learn how to use your rewards to travel and explore places.
4 min read May 11, 2023
-
Ink Business Cash® Credit Card
Earn generous rewards percentages on your small business necessities with this cash back card.
12 min read Sep 05, 2024 -
Capital One Platinum Credit Card
A card for consumers with fair credit who may not be eligible for the best rewards cards on the market today.
10 min read Jul 16, 2024 -
5 ways a 0% APR credit card could actually hurt your credit
A 0 percent intro APR card can hurt your credit in some instances, so use it well.
3 min read Apr 17, 2024 -
Best investments for military families
This guide is intended to help military families learn about some of the top investments available to them.
7 min read Apr 16, 2024 -
Capital One Spark Cash Plus
The Capital One Spark Cash for Business Plus is ideal for business owners who want rewards for their spending but have no time for rewards categories.
11 min read Mar 11, 2024 -
Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
Business owners who have a lot of expenditures in the bonus categories can benefit from owning the Ink Business Preferred Credit Card.
12 min read Jan 18, 2024 -
Can you pay rent with a credit card?
Paying rent with a credit card can be a quick way to earn rewards, but beware of the risks before you decide.
6 min read Oct 26, 2023 -
Cash management account vs. money market fund — Which is better?
Here are key pros and cons of cash management accounts and money market funds
5 min read Jul 11, 2023