The most common form of credit/debit card fraud is perpetrated through ATMs and card-swiping machines and is referred to as 'skimming'.
The rise in the number of reported credit and debit card fraud cases has made users wary of their financial safety. Here are some tips on identifying and preventing card fraud.
How to identify if your card is being hacked into:
Apart from monitoring unidentified charges on your account, there are a few other things that should raise your suspicion.
- Swiping on different machines: If you have been asked to swipe your card on more than one machine, question the procedure and speak to the store manager. Alternatively, if you see the attendant swipe your card on another machine, question them again.
- ATM fraud detection: Notice your card slot machine by wiggling your card in it. If it appears different from usual, such as having more space than usual or feeling like there might be another device attached, raise an alarm.
Other useful points to remember:
- Check the ATM you use for discrepancies: Signs of tampering could be right in front of you, such as exposed wires, broken seals, or loose parts. Inform the bank of these signs and use another ATM.
- How to pick an ATM: Choose an ATM that has cameras fitted inside or a company-hired guard. Try to use ATMs on busier and commercial streets and avoid those in remote secluded areas as they are more prone to tampering.
- Have the card swiped in front of you: Ensure that the store attendant swipes the card in front of you. Do not allow them to take it out of your sight or to another area.
- Dispose of old cards: Cut expired cards and ensure the magnetic strip has been scratched. Swipe new cards immediately.
- Keep your PINs secret: It goes without saying that you must not share your ATM and other security PINs with anybody. Do not write them down anywhere, and ensure that no one sees them when you are using the ATM or other machines.
From India, Ahmadabad
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34The rise in the number of reported credit and debit card fraud cases has made users wary of their financial safety. Here are some tips on identifying and preventing card fraud.
How to identify if your card is being hacked into:
Apart from monitoring unidentified charges on your account, there are a few other things that should raise your suspicion.
- Swiping on different machines: If you have been asked to swipe your card on more than one machine, question the procedure and speak to the store manager. Alternatively, if you see the attendant swipe your card on another machine, question them again.
- ATM fraud detection: Notice your card slot machine by wiggling your card in it. If it appears different from usual, such as having more space than usual or feeling like there might be another device attached, raise an alarm.
Other useful points to remember:
- Check the ATM you use for discrepancies: Signs of tampering could be right in front of you, such as exposed wires, broken seals, or loose parts. Inform the bank of these signs and use another ATM.
- How to pick an ATM: Choose an ATM that has cameras fitted inside or a company-hired guard. Try to use ATMs on busier and commercial streets and avoid those in remote secluded areas as they are more prone to tampering.
- Have the card swiped in front of you: Ensure that the store attendant swipes the card in front of you. Do not allow them to take it out of your sight or to another area.
- Dispose of old cards: Cut expired cards and ensure the magnetic strip has been scratched. Swipe new cards immediately.
- Keep your PINs secret: It goes without saying that you must not share your ATM and other security PINs with anybody. Do not write them down anywhere, and ensure that no one sees them when you are using the ATM or other machines.
From India, Ahmadabad
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A topical and timely warning,
The use of ATM cards, debit, and credit cards is common. People carry a variety of credit and debit cards with them in their purse (though I do not understand why so many cards should be carried as a routine).
Some tips:
- Use credit, not debit. The first rule of keeping your payments safe is to always use a credit card.
- Check for the 's' in Https.
- Keep your anti-virus software up-to-date.
- Check for a seal of trust.
- '12345' is not a good password.
- Public wifi is not a safe spot for using credit cards.
- Do not use credit/debit cards on public computers.
- Trust your instinct.
- Be careful when you use cards, shade the PIN number with your hand when you punch the machine in hostels or shops.
- Have hotlisting phone numbers readily available in case of need.
My personal suggestion:
Credit cards are all good, but do not live from credit card payment to credit card payment.
A credit card joke (sourced from brainyquote.com) for our reading pleasure:
"I haven't reported my missing credit card to the police because whoever stole it is spending less than my wife." - Ilie Nastase
Finally, while being careful, one probably need not go to the extreme like this:
"I don't shop online. I'm always scared to put my credit card on the internet!" - Kristin Cavallari
Credit for all quotes to brainyquote.com.
From India, Pune
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The use of ATM cards, debit, and credit cards is common. People carry a variety of credit and debit cards with them in their purse (though I do not understand why so many cards should be carried as a routine).
Some tips:
- Use credit, not debit. The first rule of keeping your payments safe is to always use a credit card.
- Check for the 's' in Https.
- Keep your anti-virus software up-to-date.
- Check for a seal of trust.
- '12345' is not a good password.
- Public wifi is not a safe spot for using credit cards.
- Do not use credit/debit cards on public computers.
- Trust your instinct.
- Be careful when you use cards, shade the PIN number with your hand when you punch the machine in hostels or shops.
- Have hotlisting phone numbers readily available in case of need.
My personal suggestion:
Credit cards are all good, but do not live from credit card payment to credit card payment.
A credit card joke (sourced from brainyquote.com) for our reading pleasure:
"I haven't reported my missing credit card to the police because whoever stole it is spending less than my wife." - Ilie Nastase
Finally, while being careful, one probably need not go to the extreme like this:
"I don't shop online. I'm always scared to put my credit card on the internet!" - Kristin Cavallari
Credit for all quotes to brainyquote.com.
From India, Pune
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