Some cards may have an adhesive sticker over the signature bar. If yours does, remove the sticker before signing.
Do not use an uncommon color of ink, such as red or green. Also do not sign using a ballpoint pen. Ballpoint pens may scratch up your card or leave only a faint signature on the plastic.
It’s fine if your signature is sloppy or hard to read, as long as it looks like that whenever you sign your name. If a store clerk suspects credit card fraud, their first step will be to compare the signature on the back of your card with your signature on the receipt. [4] X Research source
Depending on the ink you use, the signature may take up to 30 minutes to dry.
Look at the fine print on the back of your card. It probably contains a statement similar to: “Invalid without an authorized signature. ” Also, most store clerks will swipe your credit card without even glancing at the back of it to confirm your signature.
With the increasingly prevalence of chip readers and self-service card readers (e. g. , at gas pumps), many store clerks don’t have the opportunity to ask to see your card. [8] X Research source Leaving the back of your card blank in no way increases the security of your credit card. A thief could feasibly use the card with or without your signature.
If you do have fraud protection, U. S. laws limit the cardholder’s liability to $50. According to U. S. federal laws, all major credit card companies must provide fraud protection. To find out what your liability is in the case of a stolen credit card, call your credit card company and ask what their policies are. [10] X Expert Source Priya MalaniFinancial Advisor & Founding Partner, Stash Wealth Expert Interview. 23 March 2020.
