Personal finance tips: How to catch counterfeit goods online, and more

How to protect your credit cards

"Ever wonder how your credit card could have been used to buy cellphones in Cleveland when you just swiped it at your grocery store an hour ago?" asked Christine DiGangi at Credit.com. It actually isn't difficult for thieves to "manufacture fake cards" with stolen data and go on spending binges. And though it's possible that your data might be stolen by an "ATM that has been tampered with" or a dishonest restaurant server, it's far more likely your card will be compromised "in one of those massive data breaches you've been reading about recently." You can't prevent all theft, but you'll be more protected by using only secure payment websites, never storing payment information in your Web browser, and checking your account activity daily.

Avoid common investment errors

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There are some mistakes that I see investors make again and again, said John Schmoll at Daily Finance. "Not taking an active interest in investing" is a major one. "I have seen investors lose tens of thousands of dollars" because they didn't check on their accounts every few months. Make sure you schedule regular times throughout the year to rebalance your investments and keep an eye on fees, which can "add up to a significant drain on your portfolio." As always, keep your portfolio balanced to avoid risk. And in your attempts to diversify, try to avoid becoming "highly concentrated" in the relatively small number of popular stocks that form the core of many mutual funds. Finally, be rational about your money. Investors who lead with their emotions can lose big money by following the herd or reacting hastily to each upswing and downturn.

Catching counterfeit goods online

If an online deal seems too good to be true, said Kristin Wong at Lifehacker, it probably is. "To avoid being scammed" by counterfeit goods, be especially cautious about buying handbags, wallets, watches, jewelry, electronics parts, and pharmaceuticals — they are some of the most commonly faked goods in the U.S. And be sure to vet sellers before you hand over any cash. Look for physical mailing addresses, phone numbers, and return policies before you click Buy, and check out a seller's reviews before purchasing anything. And "when it comes to pharmaceuticals, it helps to confirm a seller's affiliation with a manufacturer" so you don't end up with fakes.