When you receive a credit card from the bank, you have to first activate it by calling the respective bank. Once that is done you’re ready to start shopping, earn reward points and also start building your credit.

But wait, after receiving credit card, make sure you read the following and implement too. These tips will help you at crucial times and can come to your rescue in a big way. Trust Me!

1. Sign on the back side of your card: First step is to sign on your card although many don’t do it. Although when you swap your card, there are hardly any merchants who will verify your signature with the slip issued for the signature. But still when the merchant compares the signature, it will ultimately benefit you. Let’s assume your card and PIN details are available with someone fradulently and the scamster try to make use of it for buying stuffs. Merchant issues a slip and asks for a signature and then verifies it. And if he finds a mismatch then he can raise an alarm. This way you will be protected from the fraud or misuse.
2. Shred the KIT documents: Once you receive the credit card kit, shred all the documents after noting down the PIN and passwords, if any. If you throw the kit as it is, it might come in the hands of someone who might make use of it unethically.
3. Change default PIN and password: Upon receiving the credit card you should change this. This will protect your card from misuse even if it comes in the hands of someone else.
4. Save card details especially the 16 digit number: Either you remember this long number or save it somewhere e.g. in the cell phone. This will help when you report lost/stolen card or while contacting banks for any type of fraud/settlement as it requires you to enter the card number. For a safer side, while saving it in the cell phone, you can name it in such a way that only you will recognize it.
5. Read the terms, conditions, charges: Before shredding the kit and its documents read the terms and conditions once. Although it’s very boring and time consuming but still you should remember key points such as interest rate, credit limit, processing fees, joining and annual fee etc. This will help, when you start receiving monthly credit card bills. Check out credit card with no annual and joining fees.
6. Set auto-debit: In today’s fast pace world a person has to pay various bills such as electricity, mobile phone, etc. And there is always a possibility they might miss on paying the bills on time which can result in late payment fees etc. But when it comes to late payment of credit card bill, you are not only paying late fees but your credit score also gets impacted, which results in denial of credit/loan application in the future. So the best way to avoid this is, activating the auto-pay feature through the bank account from which you would pay the monthly bills.
7. Mention your contact number on your wallet: Mostly people keep credit card in their wallet. But what if your wallet is lost and falls into someone’s hand and that person wants to return it you. Then a contact number will help the person in reaching you.
8. Save card issuer’s details: Make a note of following details:

• Credit card customer care contact phone number
• Add contact E-mail of the customer card in your E-mail address book
• 4/6 digit call-in or phone banking pin
• Bookmark the card issuer’s website in your cell phone browser
• SMS number

Above details will come to your help while reporting lost/stolen card or complain about fraudulent activity on your card. Imagine you’re travelling where you do not have internet access and your card gets stolen. At such a crucial time only the above mentioned details will help you especially the SMS. Website will help when you want to immediately block your credit card in case you are not able to reach customer card number. E.g. SBI offers it’s customers to block the card through their website and SMS. This will help to prevent misuse when your card is stolen or is used fraudulently.