6步驟防信用卡盜用

信用卡遭盜用將讓你遭到巨大損失。信用卡發行機構對此事件非常警惕，並採取安全措施保護消費者買免受詐騙。

不過，你也需採取必要步驟以將遭盜用風險減至最低。

保障你的信用卡

1. 一旦收到信用卡立即簽名

2. 將信用卡放置在錢包的固定位置，一旦遺失或被偷，你即可馬上發現。

3. 不將信用卡借給他人

4. 不随便向他人提供你的信用卡資料（信用卡號碼及截止日期），他們可能透過電話、郵件及網絡購物

5. 記住密碼且不寫在信用卡上或向任何人紕漏

6. 記下信用卡發行機構的電話號碼，一旦信用卡遺失、遭偷竊或未經授權交易，你可立即向此機構呈報。

確保你收到新信用卡後，將舊信用卡剪斷

◆簽名或確認交易前，請詳察付費授權單細節。

◆妥當收藏付費授權單，並在收到每月賬單時立即檢查。

◆一旦發現可能出現未經授權交易，馬上通知信用卡發行機構並儘快以書面通知。

◆在丟掉付費授權單前銷毀它。

Reference:
星洲日報／投資致富‧銀行知多少‧2010.08.08

Using a credit card good or bad?

Credit cards can be a wonderful way to shop and make payments to merchants or take cash advances, but wait, if you go overboard it can easily become a nightmare. There are some good reasons to use credit cards as well as some bad that are worth noting.

A credit card is not for everyone, there are some people who should just never have one. For example, those who have trouble keeping themselves on a budget should probably avoid getting any kind of credit cards. These cards can only lead to trouble in the wrong hands!

If on the other hand you are capable of managing debt and your finances then a credit card might be the best thing that has ever happened to you. With one of these credit cards you will be able to buy food when you are in a pinch or pay to get your car repaired if something goes wrong with it. When you have a credit card you would not have to worry about carrying too much cash in your wallet.

Credit Cards can make or break your credit history

One of the best aspects of credit cards is the fact that they are very easy to get. All though in some cases this could be seen as a drawback. Many persons are getting approved for these credit cards who have no credit history or who have bad credit history.

Using your card wisely is important to survive in the world of credit. Did you know that you have to have a good credit history to buy a car or a home? If you have no history or poor history you could find yourself getting turned down for just about nay kind of loan in future Responsible use of credit cards can be a powerful tool for you to build a credit history that you can be proud of.
If you get your credit card and you then make all of your monthly payments on time every month then you will be in the perfect position to get approved for any other kind of important loan that you need in the future. Moreover, the credit card issuer will typically not levy any fee or interest if you make your card payments in full by due date.

Understanding Credit Card fees and charges

You can revolve credit using credit cards. In such scenarios you will be liable to pay certain charges and interest which may differ from bank to bank. If you do not pay your credit card dues by the due date, interest charges and other fees like Late Payment fees are charged when you make part payment or your payments are late. To better understand what charges and fees is typically levied let us look at four probable scenarios in the table below.


These scenarios are not exhaustive but are only indicative of the kind of charges/fees that you as a credit card customer might incur in various scenarios.

Conclusion

It is how you use your credit cards can make it good or bad for you. When used wisely, credit cards can help you make the most of your financial resources. You can use cards to make some purchases more easily and securely — like travel reservations and they can even help you budget and save. But to enjoy these benefits, you need to choose a card that’s right for you, and use it carefully.

Source:
Personal Money

Financial Idiot

Example:

Eddy is a fresh graduate who earns RM1800 per month. Right before graduation, he
bought a new Toyota Vios with minimum down payment. After paying the hire purchase
installment, he is left with RM1000 for all other expenses. He rented a room in Kuala
Lumpur that costs RM300 per month. Without proper budgeting, he pays for all other
expenses with his credit card whenever possible, such as petrol, fine dining, and some
other consumer spending.

Just within a few months, he had reached the maximum credit limit of his first credit card.
Not enough still, he applied more credit cards from other financial institutions. Another
six months down the road, he can no longer afford to pay the credit card minimum
payment. Finally, he lost everything. This is a typical story of a financial idiot.

Let’s look at the net worth chart of a financial idiot.
Net worth chart of a financial idiot

This chart shows an idiot digging a never ending debt hole. Until the day he is too broke
to even declare bankruptcy, he will be buried in the deep pile of debt shit. There is no
other way to help this guy unless he is willing to delay gratification, cut a lot of expenses,
and work hard to save!

Are you one of them????
This is how he Idiot's cash flow looks like. Don't be one of them... ok? :P

Source:
Top Money Tips for Malaysian by KC Lau