Today more and more credit card users are afraid of credit card fraud. And it is not surprising! Thieves can use your credit information against you and even spoil your credit score and credit history. That's why cardholders want to protect their personal information no matter what it takes! Some of them, for example, prefer not to sign the back of their credit cards: they leave the signature line black or write "see ID". Some credit card users think that if they don't sign the card, it will be difficult for criminals to falsify their signature and to use a credit card. So, to sign or not to sign? That is the question.
Let's have a close look on this problem. If you sign your credit card, it will be easy for the criminals to falsify your signature on the charge receipt and to use your credit card instead of you. There is a slight possibility that criminals will use your signature and other information in order to acquire more credit by filling in more credit card applications.
Let's say that you are really afraid of credit fraud and prefer to write "see ID" on the back of your card. This option is very popular among modern credit card users. You think that the clerk will have to ask you to for your driver's license and compare the signature on the charge receipt and on your ID. But do they really always do it? Many financial specialists say that it is not wise to think that the storeowners will always ask for an ID, because some of them don't even turn the plastic over! It is their responsibility, but many clerks don't follow this rule! So you can't be sure that you are 100% protected from credit fraud and identity theft then!
All major credit card companies advise the cardholders to sign their cards, because the clerks are not supposed to accept your plastic without a signature and have a full right to deny your purchase if the signature line on your plastic is blank.
Perhaps, it is wise to do what your credit card company advises you and to be careful.
Once my roommate, whose worst fear is low credit score, simply lost her wallet with all plastics! On of her cards was not signed, but the criminals used her plastic to make purchases online and by phone! She was extremely disappointed and now got a credit card with her picture on it! These plastics really give extra protection to the credit card users. Of course, they are not 100% protected, but at least you know that there is a small possibility that criminal and you will look alike!
If you want to protect your good credit you have to be attentive and do your best to protect yourself from all kinds of theft!
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