How to Protect Yourself From Credit Card Fraud

Introduction

Credit card fraud is no longer limited to someone physically stealing your wallet.

Your physical card can remain safely inside your wallet while someone hundreds or thousands of miles away attempts to use your card number online. Your information can be exposed through a compromised merchant, a phishing message, a fake shopping website, a malicious app, an account takeover, or a convincing phone call from someone pretending to be your bank.

That changes the way you need to think about credit card security.

Protecting your credit card is not simply a matter of keeping the plastic card in a safe place. It means protecting the card, account credentials, personal information, devices, transactions, and the systems you use to access your money.

The good news is that you do not need an elaborate cybersecurity setup to substantially reduce your risk.

A few disciplined habits—transaction alerts, strong authentication, careful monitoring, secure passwords, skepticism toward unsolicited messages, and fast reporting—can make a significant difference.

Quick Answer: How Can You Protect Yourself From Credit Card Fraud?

The most effective way to reduce credit card fraud is to create several layers of protection rather than relying on one security measure.

You should:

1. Monitor your credit-card transactions regularly.
2. Turn on transaction and security alerts.
3. Use strong, unique passwords for financial accounts.
4. Enable multi-factor authentication whenever available.
5. Never give card details or verification codes to unsolicited callers or messages.
6. Avoid clicking suspicious banking or payment links.
7. Use trusted websites and apps when making purchases.
8. Be cautious when using public Wi-Fi for financial activity.
9. Keep your phone, computer, browser and banking apps updated.
10. Protect physical cards, statements and documents containing financial information.
11. Check your credit reports for accounts or activity you do not recognize.
12. Report suspicious transactions immediately.
13. Consider a fraud alert or credit freeze if your personal information has been exposed.
14. Learn how common scams work so you recognize them before responding.
15. Have a response plan before something goes wrong.

The CFPB recommends monitoring accounts closely and reporting suspicious transactions quickly, noting that card information can be stolen even while the physical card remains in your wallet.

The objective is not to make fraud impossible. No security system can guarantee that.

The objective is to make unauthorized access harder, detect it earlier, and limit the damage if your information is compromised.

Credit Card Fraud Is More Than a Stolen Card

One of the biggest misconceptions about credit card fraud is that you are safe as long as nobody physically steals your card.

That is no longer enough.

Consider these examples:

• You still have your card, but someone has obtained its number.
• You receive a fake text message that looks like it came from your bank.
• You click a link and enter your card information on a fraudulent website.
• A fraudster calls pretending to be your credit-card company's security department.
• A merchant you've used suffers a data breach.
• Someone gains access to your email and uses password-reset links to take over your financial accounts.
• A criminal uses your personal information to apply for a new credit account.

The CFPB notes that card information can be stolen through methods ranging from data breaches to compromised networks, meaning possession of the physical card does not necessarily mean the account is secure.

This is why effective fraud prevention has to go beyond your wallet.

Your card is only one part of your financial security.

1. Monitor Your Credit Card Transactions Regularly

This is arguably the simplest and most powerful fraud-prevention habit.

You should know what is happening on your account.

That does not mean obsessively checking every few minutes. It means creating a routine.

For example:

• Check your account after making significant purchases.
• Review recent transactions several times a week.
• Read your monthly statement.
• Investigate unfamiliar merchants.
• Pay attention to small transactions.
• Check pending transactions as well as completed transactions.

The CFPB specifically recommends watching for suspicious transactions and notes that unfamiliar merchant names and even small transaction amounts can be warning signs.

A $5 transaction may not seem worth worrying about.

But if you did not make it, the amount is irrelevant.

The question is:

Did you authorize it?

If the answer is no, investigate.

If you're still developing your basic credit-card knowledge, how credit cards work for beginners explains the account structure and transactions you should understand before relying heavily on credit cards.

2. Turn On Transaction Alerts

Transaction alerts add another layer of visibility.

Depending on your issuer, you may be able to receive notifications when:

• A purchase is made
• A transaction exceeds a certain amount
• Your card is used online
• Your card is used internationally
• Your account information changes
• A payment is due
• A new device logs into your account

If your issuer offers these features, use them.

The advantage is simple:

You don't have to wait until the end of the month to discover something happened.

Suppose someone obtains your card information at 10:15 a.m. and attempts a $300 online purchase at 10:22 a.m.

With an alert, you may notice it within minutes.

Without one, you might not discover it until you manually review your account days later.

Speed matters because fraud can involve multiple attempts.

3. Use Strong and Unique Passwords

Your credit-card number is not the only thing worth protecting.

Your online account credentials may be even more important.

If someone gains access to your card-management account, they may be able to view sensitive information, change account settings, access statements, or potentially exploit other account-recovery mechanisms.

Avoid passwords such as:

• Your name
• Birthday
• Phone number
• Business name
• Child's name
• Simple sequences
• Common words
• The same password you use everywhere

More importantly, do not reuse your financial-account password on unrelated websites.

If an unrelated website suffers a breach and your password is exposed, criminals may try the same credentials against your email or financial accounts.

A password manager can make unique passwords much easier to maintain.

If you manage several cards, how to manage multiple credit cards without missing payments is also useful because good account management is part of good fraud prevention.

4. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication

A password alone should not be your only line of defense.

Multi-factor authentication, commonly called MFA or two-factor authentication, adds another verification step.

For example, logging in may require:

• Your password
• A code from an authentication app
• A security key
• A biometric verification
• Another approved authentication method

The FTC recommends using multi-factor authentication because it can make it harder for scammers to access accounts even when they obtain a username and password.

This is particularly important for:

• Banking accounts
• Credit-card accounts
• Primary email
• Payment services
• Investment accounts
• Cloud accounts containing sensitive documents

Your email deserves special attention.

Why?

Because email is often connected to password resets for other accounts.

If someone controls your email, they may be able to attempt account recovery elsewhere.

5. Never Give a Verification Code to an Unsolicited Caller

This deserves its own section because it is one of the easiest ways for a carefully targeted scam to succeed.

Imagine receiving a call:

“We've detected a $2,800 transaction on your credit card. We're calling to stop it.”

You say you did not make the transaction.

The caller then says:

“That's okay. I'll help secure your account. I'm sending a verification code to your phone. Please read it back to me.”

You receive the code.

You read it.

The caller now has exactly what they wanted.

The scammer may have been attempting to log into your account or complete an authentication process.

The fact that the caller knew some information about you does not prove the call was legitimate.

The CFPB specifically warns consumers to be careful when someone claims to represent a financial institution and asks for money or sensitive information.

The safest rule is simple: if someone unexpectedly contacts you about your financial account, don't authenticate yourself to them.

End the conversation and contact the financial institution yourself using a trusted channel.

6. Don't Click Banking Links Sent by Text or Email

Phishing remains one of the most effective ways criminals obtain financial information.

You might receive:

“Your credit card has been temporarily suspended. Click here to verify your account.”

Or:

“Suspicious transaction detected. Confirm your identity immediately.”

Or:

“Your reward points expire today. Redeem them now.”

The message may contain the bank's logo.

The website may look almost identical to the real website.

The sender name may even appear legitimate.

That does not make it genuine.

The FTC recommends avoiding links in unexpected messages and instead contacting the organization through a website or phone number you already know is legitimate.

If you receive a suspicious banking message:

1. Do not click the link.
2. Do not reply.
3. Do not provide card details.
4. Open your bank's official app independently.
5. Check your account.
6. Contact the institution through its official contact information if necessary.

If you want to understand another major source of credit-card risk, the emotional traps of credit card rewards programs explains how urgency, rewards and perceived “free money” can influence financial decisions.

7. Be Careful Where You Enter Your Card Information

Before entering your credit-card details online, ask:

• Do I recognize this business?
• Did I intentionally visit this website?
• Is the website address correct?
• Did I arrive through a suspicious advertisement or message?
• Is the purchase unusually urgent?
• Does the website look legitimate?
• Does the checkout process behave normally?

Be especially cautious with websites offering extreme discounts.

A product listed for $20 on a site you've never heard of may appear like a bargain.

But if the real objective is collecting your card number, the $20 purchase could become much more expensive.

This is why using your credit card online requires judgment, not simply technical security.

8. Don't Store Your Card Details Everywhere

Saving card information can make online shopping convenient.

But convenience also means your card details may be stored across multiple accounts.

You might have saved your card with:

• Online retailers
• Food-delivery platforms
• Travel websites
• Subscription services
• Software companies
• App stores
• Digital wallets
• Business platforms

You do not necessarily need to remove every saved payment method.

But periodically review where your financial information is stored.

Close accounts you no longer use.

Remove old payment methods where appropriate.

And protect the accounts that retain your card details with strong passwords and MFA.

9. Protect Your Email Account Like a Financial Account

Many people protect their bank account carefully but treat email casually.

That is a mistake.

Your email may contain:

• Bank statements
• Payment confirmations
• Password-reset links
• Account numbers
• Purchase receipts
• Insurance information
• Tax documents
• Personal identification

If someone gains access to your email, they may learn enough about you to make other attacks more convincing.

Protect your primary email with:

• A unique password
• MFA
• Recovery methods you control
• Updated security information
• Login alerts where available

Also review your email account's active sessions periodically.

If you see an unfamiliar device or location, investigate.

10. Keep Your Phone and Computer Updated

Your financial security depends partly on the security of the devices you use to access your accounts.

Install security updates for:

• Operating systems
• Banking apps
• Browsers
• Security software
• Mobile applications

Updates frequently address security vulnerabilities.

You should also be selective about the applications you install.

A fraudulent app can potentially request permissions or attempt to capture sensitive information.

Use official app stores and verify that you are downloading the legitimate application.

11. Be Careful With Public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi can be convenient in:

• Airports
• Hotels
• Restaurants
• Shopping centers
• Cafés
• Conference venues

But convenience does not mean every network is trustworthy.

Avoid performing sensitive financial transactions on questionable networks when you have a safer alternative.

If you need to access your financial account while away from home, consider using your mobile connection or another trusted network.

The principle is simple:

The more sensitive the transaction, the more careful you should be about the environment in which you perform it.

12. Protect Your Physical Card

Digital fraud gets most of the attention, but physical security still matters.

Do not:

• Leave your card unattended
• Photograph the front and back unnecessarily
• Share your card casually
• Leave receipts containing sensitive information lying around
• Store your PIN with your card
• Carry every financial card you own when you only need one

If your wallet is lost, immediately review everything that was inside it.

A stolen wallet may expose much more than a single credit-card number.

It could contain:

• Identification
• Debit cards
• Credit cards
• Membership cards
• Insurance information
• Receipts
• Addresses
• Other personal information

That can transform a simple card theft into a broader identity-theft risk.

13. Destroy Sensitive Documents Properly

Old statements and financial documents can contain information that should not simply be thrown into an open trash bin.

Where appropriate, shred documents containing sensitive personal or financial information.

The FTC recommends securely disposing of documents containing personal information and protecting financial records from unnecessary exposure.

This is particularly important for people who receive paper statements.

Digital security does not replace physical security.

14. Review Your Credit Reports

Credit-card fraud can sometimes be part of a broader identity-theft problem.

Reviewing your credit reports can help you identify:

• Accounts you never opened
• Credit inquiries you don't recognize
• Unfamiliar addresses
• Suspicious collections
• Unexpected changes

The FTC recommends reviewing credit reports and watching for unfamiliar accounts or other signs that someone may be using your identity.

If you discover inaccurate or fraudulent information, how to dispute errors on your credit report explains the next steps for challenging information that does not belong to you.

This is particularly important after a major data breach, stolen wallet, identity-theft incident, or suspected account takeover.

15. Know When a Credit Freeze Makes Sense

A credit freeze is not necessary every time you receive a suspicious text message.

But it can become valuable when there is a genuine identity-theft risk.

In the United States, a credit freeze can make it harder for someone to open new credit accounts in your name. The FTC says freezes are free to place or lift and do not affect your credit score.

A freeze is different from simply monitoring your credit.

Monitoring tells you what happened.

A freeze can help prevent certain new-account fraud from happening in the first place.

However, a freeze does not protect every existing financial account.

Someone who has already gained access to an existing account may still attempt account takeover.

That is why account security and credit-file security should be viewed as separate layers.

16. Consider a Fraud Alert When Identity Theft Is Suspected

A fraud alert is another tool available to U.S. consumers.

An initial fraud alert generally lasts one year and asks businesses to take additional steps to verify your identity before opening new credit in your name. You can contact one of the nationwide credit bureaus to place one, and that bureau must notify the others.

This can be useful if you suspect someone has obtained enough personal information to impersonate you.

Again, the distinction matters:

A stolen card number is not automatically the same thing as stolen identity information.

The response should match the risk.

17. Don't Confuse Credit Card Fraud With Debit Card Fraud

The two are often discussed together, but they can have materially different consequences.

With a credit card, fraudulent purchases generally do not directly remove money from your checking account at the point of purchase.

With a debit card, unauthorized transactions can directly affect money held in your bank account.

The legal protections and reporting timelines can also differ.

The FTC specifically distinguishes the protections applicable to credit, ATM and debit cards and emphasizes reporting losses quickly.

That is one reason debit-card security deserves its own attention rather than assuming the same rules apply to every payment method.

18. Don't Let Rewards Encourage Risky Behavior

Credit-card rewards can make people less cautious.

You might think:

“I'm only using this website because I need the points.”

Or:

“I'll spend another $300 so I can unlock the bonus.”

Or:

“It's okay because I'm getting cashback.”

But rewards should never override security judgment.

If a transaction is unnecessary, risky or suspicious, a 2% reward is not compensation for potentially exposing your financial information.

If you use rewards cards frequently, how to maximize credit card rewards without carrying a balance explains why rewards should support disciplined spending rather than encourage unnecessary purchases.

19. Don't Ignore a Small Suspicious Charge

Fraud does not have to begin with a $5,000 transaction.

A small charge may be easier to overlook.

Imagine:

$4.97 — Online Merchant

You don't remember it.

You decide it is probably nothing.

Three days later:

$78.50 — Online Merchant

Then:

$421.00 — Online Merchant

The first transaction might have been an early warning.

This is why regular monitoring is more effective than waiting for a dramatic transaction.

If you want to reduce the behavioral risks that can cause you to overlook suspicious or unnecessary transactions, how to control spending when using credit cards provides a practical framework for creating stronger spending controls.

20. Know How to Respond When Your Card Is Actually Compromised

Prevention is important.

But eventually, even careful consumers may encounter fraud.

If you notice unauthorized activity:

1. Contact your card issuer immediately.
2. Report the transaction.
3. Ask whether the card should be replaced.
4. Follow the issuer's dispute process.
5. Change passwords if account access may be compromised.
6. Review other financial accounts.
7. Check your credit reports.
8. Consider a fraud alert or credit freeze if identity theft is suspected.
9. Save all case numbers and communications.
10. Continue monitoring the account.

The FTC recommends contacting the card issuer immediately when a credit card is used without authorization and using the number on the card or the issuer's official online/app channel.

For a complete step-by-step response after an incident, read what to do if your credit card is stolen or compromised.

That article is particularly useful when the problem has already happened and you need a response plan rather than general prevention advice.

Real-Life Example: How a Five-Minute Check Can Prevent a Bigger Problem

Consider David.

He receives a notification:

$8.43 — Online Purchase

David does not recognize the merchant.

He opens his credit-card app and checks the transaction.

He still doesn't recognize it.

Instead of assuming it is nothing, he calls his card issuer.

The issuer reviews the account and identifies the transaction as potentially fraudulent.

David's card is replaced.

Now compare that with someone who checks their statement once every two months.

The same initial $8.43 transaction might have been followed by:

• $46
• $190
• $640
• $1,100

The important lesson is not that everyone should constantly monitor their account.

It is that early detection changes the size of the problem you have to solve.

Real-Life Example: The Fake Bank Call

Maria receives a text:

“Suspicious transaction detected. Call this number immediately.”

She calls.

The person on the other end claims to be from her bank's fraud department.

They already know her name and the last four digits of her card.

They tell her someone is attempting to make a large purchase.

Then they ask for the verification code sent to her phone.

Maria becomes suspicious.

Instead of providing it, she hangs up.

She opens her banking app directly.

There is no suspicious transaction.

She then calls the number on the back of her card.

Her bank confirms that the original call was fraudulent.

Maria avoided the scam because she understood one crucial principle:

You should verify the institution independently instead of allowing the caller to control the verification process.

The CFPB specifically advises consumers to use trusted websites and phone numbers when contacting financial institutions and warns about impersonation scams involving banks and government agencies.

The Five Layers of Credit Card Fraud Protection

Think of your security system as five layers.

Layer 1: Physical security

Protect the card, wallet, documents and devices.

Layer 2: Account security

Use strong passwords, MFA and secure recovery options.

Layer 3: Transaction monitoring

Use alerts and regularly review transactions.

Layer 4: Scam resistance

Do not surrender information simply because someone creates urgency.

Layer 5: Recovery readiness

Know exactly what to do when fraud occurs.

This layered approach is stronger than relying on any single security measure.

A person with a perfect password but no transaction monitoring can still miss fraud.

A person who monitors every transaction but gives authentication codes to scammers is still vulnerable.

A person who protects their card physically but uses the same password everywhere is still exposed.

Security works best as a system.

Common Credit Card Fraud Mistakes to Avoid

Some of the most damaging mistakes are surprisingly ordinary.

Mistake 1: Waiting to report suspicious activity

The longer you wait, the more transactions may occur.

Mistake 2: Assuming small transactions don't matter

Small unauthorized purchases can still indicate compromise.

Mistake 3: Trusting caller ID

A displayed phone number does not prove the caller is legitimate.

Mistake 4: Clicking a bank link in an unexpected message

Go directly to the official app or website instead.

Mistake 5: Reusing passwords

One compromised website can create problems elsewhere.

Mistake 6: Ignoring email security

Your email can be a gateway to other accounts.

Mistake 7: Keeping old accounts open

Unused accounts increase the number of places where your information remains stored.

Mistake 8: Assuming fraud always involves physical theft

Your card can be compromised while it remains in your possession.

Mistake 9: Giving verification codes to callers

Authentication codes are designed to prove that you are authenticating—not to help a stranger prove they are legitimate.

Mistake 10: Thinking fraud protection means you can stop monitoring

Even strong card protections do not eliminate the need for account awareness.

A Practical Weekly Credit Card Security Routine

You do not need to spend hours managing security.

A simple weekly routine can take only a few minutes.

Every few days

Check recent transactions.

Once a week

Review account activity and notifications.

Monthly

Review the complete credit-card statement.

Every few months

Review:

• Saved payment methods
• Connected devices
• Account security settings
• Passwords
• Subscriptions
• Financial accounts

At least periodically

Review your credit reports and investigate anything unfamiliar.

The FTC encourages consumers to routinely review financial statements and credit reports as part of protecting against identity theft.

The objective is consistency, not paranoia.

What If You Accidentally Gave Your Card Information to a Scammer?

Do not wait to see whether the scammer actually uses it.

Contact your card issuer immediately.

Explain exactly what information you provided.

Depending on what was exposed, the issuer may recommend:

• Replacing the card
• Blocking transactions
• Monitoring the account
• Changing account credentials
• Taking additional security measures

If you gave away your online banking password, change it immediately.

If the same password was used elsewhere, change those accounts too.

If you gave away sensitive identity information, the situation may require broader identity-theft protection.

The FTC recommends changing compromised account credentials and enabling two-factor authentication when someone has obtained your login information.

What If Your Credit Card Information Was Exposed in a Data Breach?

Don't automatically assume that fraud has already occurred.

A data breach means your information may have been exposed. It does not necessarily mean someone has already used it.

But it does mean you should become more vigilant.

Follow the instructions provided by the affected company or card issuer.

Then:

• Monitor your card
• Enable alerts
• Review transactions
• Watch for phishing messages
• Be skeptical of unexpected calls
• Monitor your credit if personal information was exposed
• Consider stronger identity protections when appropriate

One important point:

A data-breach notification can itself create an opportunity for scammers.

Someone may contact you claiming to “help” you recover your account.

Verify everything independently.

Q&A: How to Protect Yourself From Credit Card Fraud

Can someone commit credit card fraud without stealing my physical card?

Yes. Someone can obtain and use your card information even while the physical card remains in your possession. Card details can be exposed through data breaches, phishing, compromised merchants, malicious websites and other methods.

What is the best way to detect credit card fraud quickly?

Regular transaction monitoring combined with real-time alerts is one of the strongest practical approaches. Alerts can notify you when activity occurs, while regular reviews help identify transactions that may not trigger a specific alert.

Should I check my credit card every day?

You don't necessarily need to check it obsessively. A practical routine is to use transaction alerts and review recent activity regularly, with a more detailed statement review each month.

Can a credit card be hacked even if I never lose it?

Yes. Your card number and other information can be compromised without the physical card being stolen.

Should I use my credit card online?

Online credit-card use can be reasonable, but you should use reputable websites, avoid suspicious links, protect your account credentials, and monitor transactions.

Is it safe to save my credit card on shopping websites?

It can be convenient, but storing card information creates additional accounts and systems where your information exists. Only save payment information with services you trust, and protect those accounts with strong passwords and MFA.

Can someone steal my credit card information through a text message?

A text message itself does not necessarily steal your card information, but a phishing message may attempt to persuade you to click a malicious link and enter your card or login details. The FTC recommends avoiding unexpected links and contacting organizations through trusted channels instead.

Should I give my credit-card verification code to my bank over the phone?

If you received an unsolicited call, do not provide a verification code simply because the caller claims to be your bank. End the call and contact the institution through an official channel you independently verify.

What should I do if I clicked a suspicious banking link?

If you entered card or login information, contact the relevant financial institution immediately. Change compromised passwords, enable MFA, monitor your account and follow the issuer's security instructions.

Does a credit freeze stop credit-card fraud?

A credit freeze can help prevent certain types of new-account identity theft, but it does not necessarily stop fraud involving an existing credit-card account.

Does a credit freeze hurt your credit score?

In the United States, a credit freeze does not affect your credit score.

What should I do if I see an unauthorized credit-card transaction?

Contact the card issuer immediately using an official channel, report the transaction and follow the issuer's dispute process. Do not wait for additional fraudulent charges.

Can using a credit card protect me better than using cash online?

A credit card can provide useful protections and dispute mechanisms, but the exact protections depend on the country, card network, issuer and circumstances. Security still depends heavily on how you use and monitor the account.

Can credit card fraud affect my credit score?

Fraud itself does not automatically destroy your credit score. Problems can arise if fraudulent accounts or transactions result in inaccurate credit reporting, missed payments, collections or broader identity theft.

How often should I check my credit report?

You should monitor your credit reports according to the options available in your country. U.S. consumers can obtain and review their credit reports and should pay attention to accounts or inquiries they do not recognize.

The Bottom Line

Credit card fraud prevention is not about living in fear of every transaction.

It is about building habits that make fraud harder to execute and easier to detect.

Protect your physical card.

Protect your passwords.

Protect your email.

Use multi-factor authentication.

Turn on transaction alerts.

Review your statements.

Don't click suspicious banking links.

Don't give verification codes to unexpected callers.

Be skeptical of urgency.

Check your credit reports.

And when something looks wrong, investigate immediately.

The strongest defense is not one security feature.

It is a system of small decisions that work together.

A fraudster may get lucky and obtain a card number.

But if you receive an immediate transaction alert, notice the unfamiliar charge, contact the issuer quickly, have MFA protecting your accounts, and refuse to provide authentication codes to an impersonator, the opportunity to cause serious damage becomes much smaller.

The goal is not perfect security. The goal is resilient financial security.

If you're also trying to make your credit cards work for you rather than against you, how to use credit cards without damaging your credit score explains the habits that help keep revolving credit from becoming a financial liability.

For readers dealing with balances, how to stop paying high interest on credit card debt addresses another major risk of relying too heavily on revolving credit.

And if you are deciding whether you should keep or eliminate a particular card, when should you close a credit card explains the factors worth considering before closing an account.

Credit Card Fraud Prevention Checklist

Use this as a simple personal security checklist:

•  Transaction alerts enabled
•  Strong, unique banking password
•  Multi-factor authentication enabled
•  Primary email account secured with MFA
•  Banking app downloaded from an official source
•  Operating system and apps updated
•  Suspicious links avoided
•  Verification codes never shared with unsolicited callers
•  Recent transactions reviewed regularly
•  Monthly statements checked
•  Unused accounts closed where appropriate
•  Saved payment methods reviewed
•  Sensitive documents securely destroyed
•  Credit reports reviewed periodically
•  Fraud alert considered when identity theft is suspected
•  Credit freeze considered when appropriate
•  Card issuer's official fraud number saved
•  Emergency response plan understood

Credit card security is ultimately a habit.

The person who notices a $9 unauthorized transaction today is often in a much stronger position than the person who discovers $2,000 of fraudulent activity next month.

Pay attention early. Protect your information. Verify before you trust. And act immediately when something doesn't look right.