(WMC-TV) - I can't emphasize enough how consumers should consider exclusively using credit cards to buy stuff, then pay off the balances immediately.

Under federal law, you're never liable for more than $50 of any disputed charge on your credit card. Most card-issuers offer zero liability now to attract customers. You can't count on that kind of protection if your debit card or cash is stolen.

(WMC-TV) - I'm the court of last resort.

If you have a consumer complaint, you should be coming to me last. So many viewers with consumer issues hit me up first without nary a phone call to the business or service provider.

Sometimes, a phone call is all it takes.

Other times, it takes a checklist.

With all due respect to Neil Sedaka, breaking up is not hard to do when you've paid off that credit card.

It's exhilarating to see a zero on your card statement -- and tempting to shut that bad boy down with a Dear John letter to your credit card company.

Don't write that letter just yet, said Lynn Oldshue, editor of the Birmingham-based LowCards.com (www.lowcards.com).

"Closing an old or unused card erases some of your available credit and increases your credit utilization ratio (or debt-to-credit ratio)," said Oldshue.

She said increasing that ratio may decrease your credit score.

"For example, say you have two credit cards--one with a $3,000 balance and one with no balance," she explained. "Each card has a $5,000 credit limit.