How to cut up credit cards

How to properly cut up your credit cards

from wikiHow – The How to Manual That You Can Edit

It may be a trivial topic, but with identity theft rampant, one can never be too cautious.

Steps

1. Look at the credit card and be certain that this is the credit card that you want to cut up. Don’t laugh; many have absentmindedly cut up their new credit cards!
2. Identify the embossed card number on the front. Turn it over. Recognize that number is reproduced on the back with the addition of a three digit security code.
3. Referencing the front of the card, cut three times. Once between the four groups of numbers. Snip, snip, and snip.
4. Find the security code on the reverse side. Cut so that the embossed number and code are separated. Snip.
5. Discard each of the five parts in a different receptacle. Preferably in different cities. But, distinctly different locations and at distinctly different times.

Tips

• Most people don’t realize the importance of the three digit security code. It’s used to prove that the card has been “seen”.
• As most shredders are capable of cutting cards, it may be useful to purchase one. They can also be used to shred any other personal documents.
• You can also cut randomly, such as alternating cuts diagonally.
• Another good idea would be to take a sharp object (eg. knife, scissors, or even a paper clip end) and score the magnetic strip on the back. This will make your card difficult to read.

Warnings

• Don’t cut up the live card. It’s easy to do when you get this year’s replacement.

Related wikiHows

• How to Cut Credit Card Debt
• How to Locate Bad Credit Credit Cards
• How to Get a Credit Card when You Have a Low Income
• How to Repair Your Credit
• How to Choose Your First Credit Card

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world’s largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Cut up and Throw Away a Credit Card. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

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