It may seem to happen frequently; you see a nightly news story, or worse yet, you receive an email that a major retailer says we’ve had a little “tiny” problem, and consumer card information has been hacked. When that happens, it is quite possible that you feel vulnerable. So, how can you protect yourself in advance? Read along for tips from First Reliance.

Be On Guard

At a minimum, you should log in to online banking and set up daily balance alerts. Better yet, make a point to look at your account online every day. And we mean, look closely.

Know How Hackers Work

When credit card information is stolen, hackers sell it to other hackers online. The smart ones buy card information from their area, which means you may not see charges from some exotic place. These hackers could be using your card information at a store down the street.

And the charges they’re racking up could be big or little. They figure that more minor charges will not be as noticeable.

If You See Unusual Account Activity

So what do you do if you do see something unusual? If it’s a credit card, and you still have your physical credit card with you, report the problem to the number on the back, and then don’t worry about a thing.

You’re not liable for any charges.

If it’s a debit card, you must act quickly.

Call us and report the transaction right away. When done promptly, this shouldn’t cost you anything; however, if you wait a few days, you could be on the hook financially. Typically, the amount you’re responsible for will increase the slower you are about reporting it.

So keep an eye on your transactions, and help to make a hacker unhappy.