4 Tips to Save Yourself from Credit/Debit Card Fraud
I just received a PayPal phishing email yesterday. Though I was smart enough to know what it was, a lot of people are not. I remembered listening to absolutely horrifying stories by my friends and their experiences with credit card fraud. Taking all their stories into consideration, here are some tips to save yourself from the harrowing experience of being caught in the middle of a credit/debit card fraud:
1. If you’re an active user of online payment processors such as PayPal or Moneybookers, never click on an email sent to you seemingly by these web sites. Even if they appear official, always open a new browser and type the URL in.
2. Refrain from using your debit/credit card to pay for web sites without SSL layers (it is usually indicated by the web site whether they do have).
3. If you are an active online buyer/seller and you constantly key in your credit card or debit card number, run an anti-malware scan regularly. This ensures your computer is free of keyloggers which could steal sensitive information.
4. Do not leave your credit or debit card in possession of anyone, unless you trust that person completely, over long periods of time. I heard a story about someone I know, who paid for a restaurant bill with his credit card. Because he was with company, he didn’t notice that it took some time before the card was returned to him. The next thing he knew, his card has been charged with numerous online purchases. You see, your CVV is written at the back of your card. Even if someone is not with physical possession of your card, mere numbers are enough. If you suspect that someone has taken hold of your card number and CVV, call your bank immediately to have your card disabled. Serious credit card thieves can sometimes also duplicate your credit card.
If your bank suspects fraud has taken place, they could cut your card off immediately and indemnify charges incurred by the fraudster. However, it’s better to take precautionary measures to save yourself from all the heartaches and also to help lower the percentage of overall credit and debit card fraud.
Filed under: online fraud, debit card fraud, credit card fraud
