1. Pay cash whenever possible.
2. If you use a card, never allow it out of your sights. In other words, always find a way to pay cash in restaurants.
3. Always use your card as a credit card in retail stores. Use your PIN as infrequently as possible. Just press “credit” instead of ATM/Debit & follow the directions on the keypad screen.
4. Keep your hand over the numbers on the front while waiting to pay and don’t hesitate to take control of your card from a sales person who lays it face up on the counter.
5. Read and monitor your statement.
6. Bank locally. Being able to speak face-to-face to a representative of your bank/credit union if there is a problem is a plus.
7. Never give your CC number over the phone. Never.
8. Pay cash. I know that this was #1, but it can’t be stressed enough.
Never, ever, ever, ever use an ATM/Debit card for purchases. If your credit card number is stolen and money is charged to it, it doesn't affect you other than maybe having to use another card while it is being investigated. They're just numbers on a computer. If someone steals your ATM/Debit card number then that is real money in your checking account that is being taken out and you might not have access to that cash during the investigation of the charges. Even look at changing your debit card for an ATM only card, or at least have general charging priviledges removed from it.
If you must have a debit card for some reason, link it to an account with a small amount of money in it and move money to the account as you need it.
Especially out of the country. Horror stories, i.e., restaurant, take card out the back door and make purchases at nearby retail stores, or online.....you don't know about it until returning home days or weeks later....OUCH!!