The Federal Trade Commission offers advice to consumers on how to avoid credit and charge card fraud.

According to the agency, consumers should carry their cards separately from their wallets, in secure holders or pouches.

Records of card account numbers and expiration dates should be kept in a secure location at home. Phone numbers for reporting the theft or loss of cards to the card companies should be readily available.

Make a practice of watching your card when in use and make sure that you get the card back as soon as possible.

Make sure that there are no blank spaces left on card receipts. For example, if you pick up food at a restaurant, draw a line through the blank space used for the tip, if you aren't giving one. Total the correct amount on the line below for the total charge owing on the account.

Incorrect receipts should be voided and any carbon copies destroyed.

Review your statements promptly on their arrival and carefully. Any errors found in the review should be reported to the company "in writing" without delay.

Protect your card account numbers from discovery by others. Don't give out your account number or any other personal financial information on the telephone or via email, unless you are the one making the contact and it is to a company you know is reputable.

For more information, see "Avoiding Credit and Charge Card Fraud"( available online at http://www.ftc.gov).

Opinions expressed solely are those of the writer. Joseph Pellicciotti is a lawyer, professor and associate vice chancellor at Indiana University Northwest.