Credit Card Shopping Tips

Keep these tips in mind when looking for a credit or charge card.

Shop around for the plan that best fits your needs.

Make sure you understand a plan’s terms before you accept the card.

Hold on to receipts to reconcile charges when your bill arrives.

Protect your cards and account numbers to prevent unauthorized use. Draw a line through blank spaces on charge slips so the amount can’t be changed. Tear up carbons.

Keep a record — in a safe place separate from your cards — of your account numbers, expiration dates and the phone numbers of each issuer to report a loss quickly.

Carry only the cards you think you’ll use.