15 times not to use your credit card

There are plenty of reasons to use a credit card — convenience, accountability and safety among them — but when is it better just to step away from the swiper?

There are many out there who would say that there's never a good time to use a credit card, and that cash, debit or anything else would be a better choice. While forgoing credit for good may or may not be realistic, there are some times when it is best to just leave the card in your wallet or purse. Here are some times when you should never use your card:

Top 5 Tricks of Identity Thieves

Identity theft affects 9 million Americans each year. Knowing the most common methods identity thieves use could save your financial and medical health.

Paying with a credit card, updating friends on social networking sites and throwing out the trash are fairly common activities for most Americans these days. But however routine or harmless these behaviors might seem, they could potentially cost you your identity.

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), a federal consumer protection agency, identity theft affects 9 million Americans each year.

The FTC website says, "Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personally identifying information, like your name, Social Security number, or credit card number, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes."

If your identity is stolen, your credit rating, finances and even your medical health could be at risk.

Identity theft is very difficult to detect. However, there are things you can do to protect yourself. More

Clark Howard Warns Of New Credit Card Trick

Consumer Adviser Clark Howard has a warning about a boom in a special kind of credit card offer.

The offer is for a professional, or business credit card. Banks have cranked up the offers for these types of cards. There’s been a 256 percent increase in the first quarter of this year alone.

Clark Howard Warns Of Dangerous Business Card Offer

Peggy Bethune's mom got one of these offers.

“An 87-year-old woman, who is retired, basically, never really worked, she was a housewife. Why would she be getting a business credit card offer in the mail?” Bethune said.

Clark Howard said there's a reason banks want to sign people up for a business or professional card: The cards aren’t covered under the new Credit Card Accountability, Responsibility and Disclosure Act. With this type of card, the bank can reduce the number of days you have to pay your bill, raise interest rates, charge massive fees and change terms and conditions without notice.

Clark’s advice: If you get a business offer in the mail, shred it. Even if you have a business, you are much better off using a personal card for personal businesses. That way, you are protected under the CARD Act.