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Your credit card information is always at risk for theft. Here are some ways to help keep credit card fraud from happening to you:

1. Keep your credit cards safe.

Keep your credit cards in a purse or wallet close to your body where it can't easily be snatched away. Ladies, make sure your purse is zipped. If you're shopping in a high traffic area, carry a smaller purse. For both men and women, carry only the one or two credit and debit cards you'll be using that day. Leave all your other credit cards at home. Don't leave your credit card exposed any longer than necessary, and be sure you have your credit card back in your possession before you leave the store or restaurant.

2. Shred anything with your credit card number on it.

Rather than toss your credit card billing statements directly into the trash, shred them to keep dumpster divers from getting their hands on your credit card number. The same thing applies to old credit cards that have expired or been cancelled. You might even put the shredded pieces in different trash bags to thwart clever thieves who can put shredded pages back together.

3. Don't sign blank credit card receipts.

To avoid credit card fraud, always verify the amount on your credit card receipt before signing it. If you get a credit card receipt that has blank spaces in it, write $0 in those spaces or draw through them before putting your signature on the card. Otherwise, the cashier could write in an amount and send the purchase to your credit card issuer.

4. Avoid giving out your credit card information.

Credit card thieves have been known to pose as credit card issuers and other businesses to trick you into giving out your credit card number. Only give out your credit card number or other sensitive information on calls you initiate to customer service using the number on the back of your credit card. Don't return calls to a phone number left on your answering machine and don't give your credit card number to anyone who calls you requesting the number.

5. Be safe with your credit card online.

Don't click on email links from anyone pretending to be your bank, credit card company or other business who uses your personal information, even if the email looks legitimate. These links are often phishing scams and want to trick you into entering your login information on their fake website. Only enter your credit card number on secure websites that you can be 100% sure are legitimate. To be sure a website is secure, look for a lock in the lower right corner of your internet browser.

6. Report lost or stolen credit cards immediately.

The sooner you report a missing credit card, the less likely it is that you'll have to pay for any fraudulent charges made on your credit card. Write down your credit card companies' customer service number now so you'll have it if your credit card is ever missing.

7. Review your billing statements each month.

Unauthorized charges on your credit card are the first indicator of credit card fraud. If you notice a charge you didn't make, no matter how small, report the charge to your credit card issuer immediately. Your credit card issuer will tell you whether you should close your account to avoid credit card fraud.

You can save money throughout the year, but the warm summer weather provides additional ways that can help you save even more money. Here are some things to try during the warm months:

• Turn off the air conditioning. This doesn't mean you have to suffer in the heat, but you should be aware of the weather so you can maximize efficiency and save money by using it only when needed. For example, if it is going to be a cool night, turn off the air and open a few windows before going to bed.
• Cook outside. Using the stove or baking in the oven can create a lot of excess heat in your house. Consider taking meal plans to the barbecue grill outside so you can keep your inside cool.
• Let your laundry dry outside. If you have the ability to hang up laundry outside, let the sun and warm summer breeze do the drying for you. Even if you can't hang up clothes outside, try using your dryer on a lower heat setting or only partially drying your shirts and letting them air dry the rest of the way.
• Replace your air conditioner filters. This can be easy to overlook, but a dirty filter can increase cooling costs. Dirty filters restrict the airflow and the efficiency of the air conditioner, which translates into more run time and higher cooling costs. Filters are cheap, so replace them regularly.
• Plan ahead for future home and garden projects. As summer begins to wind down, it is a perfect time to be on the lookout for season ending sales. Landscape plants, tools, and other outdoor project materials tend to go on sale as people begin to look toward autumn and spending less time outside.

Some email users have lost money to bogus offers that were sent to their inbox. Sometimes these spam messages ask for your personal information, while others invite you to a website with a detailed pitch. The following tips can help you avoid these email scams:

• Protect your personal information. Only share credit card or other personal information when you're buying from a company you know and trust.
• Know who you're dealing with. Don't do business with any company that won't provide its name, street address, and telephone number.
• Take your time. Resist any urge to "act now" despite the offer and the terms. Once you turn over your money, you may never get it back.
• Read the small print. Get all promises in writing and review them carefully before you make a payment or sign a contract.
• Never pay for a "free" gift. Disregard any offer that asks you to pay for a gift or prize. If it's free or a gift, you shouldn't have to pay for it. Free means free.

Fighting Back

If you receive an email that you think may be fraudulent, forward it to the FTC at spam@uce.gov and then delete it. Also, if the email appears to be impersonating a bank or other company or organization, forward the message to the actual organization. You'll be doing your part to help put a scam artist out of work.

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Cucumber Sandwiches

By: Mary Ellen Toporek

• 2 cucumbers sliced
• 1 package cream cheese
• 1 package Good Seasoning Italian Dressing
• ¼ to ½ cup mayonnaise
• dill weed
• 1 package cocktail rye bread

Mix softened cream cheese, dressing, and mayonnaise till smooth. Spread each slice of rye bread with mixture. Add Cucumber slice. Sprinkle with dill. Chill at least 30 minutes before serving.