Despite the many advances in e-mail security and online privacy, we still find a lot of scam e-mails being sent into our spam folders. Fictitious deals and unbelievable six-digit cash prizes pop into our accounts without us knowing how or why we were chosen. Sometimes, some of these bogus offers somehow slip into our inboxes. With the growing popularity of mobile phones as lifestyle accessory rather than a personal communication device, even our cellphone inboxes are no longer spared from spam.

We should always be wary of spam mails and messages. There have been many people who have found themselves sucked into the trap of credit card fraud because they unwittingly believed a shady e-mail or text message. Here are a few things to remember to avoid the same fate.

Never Give Your Credit Card Information to Someone You Don’t Fully Trust

This is common sense. Your credit card acts as your virtual wallet. Handing in your name and account number without valid reason is like propping a big neon sign above your bank account that says “Go ahead! Steal me!” If you receive an e-mail or a text message asking you for your personal credit card information, alarm bells should ring. Never respond to e-mails that redirect you to a particular website and ask you to verify personal and credit card information either. You just might become a victim of a phishing scam.

Similarly, never provide your credit card information on a website that is not a secure site. While there are many online stores and service providers out there, not all of them are legitimate and certainly, not all of them can be trusted. If you stumble upon an online shop that has a poor layout or provides incomplete information, think twice about purchasing from it. It wouldn’t matter that you bought the cheapest product online if you find that technological burglars have infiltrated your credit card account because of it. You will know you are transacting with a secure website if the online store utilizes security features such as SSL (Secure Socket Layer), which encrypts your purchase information so hackers and Internet thieves won’t be able to get to them.

Just Avoid It

Whenever you shop or surf online, you will encounter offers to e-mail subscriptions about future promos or campaigns. Even if it’s from a website that you trust, if you visit it frequently anyway then say no to the subscription offer. None of us want any clutter in our inboxes, so let’s not encourage it by signing up for automatic messaging services we won’t bother addressing. Sometimes, stores add you to their mailing list without you knowing because you gave them your personal information. If you feel irked from getting their spam mails, it is not impolite to ask to be removed from the mailing list.

Credit card fraud is a felony that is punishable by law. In the same way, we all have a right to protect ourselves from it. If you have any complaints or issues concerning online transactions, don’t hesitate to contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) about it.