Scammers target potential victims when we are distracted.
They use various means to get our card details. A common device used by
scammers are skimmers, pin sized cameras and online forms.
To avoid becoming a victim keep your card details safe
and trust your instincts. Ask questions when things look unusual or suspicious.
Finally always stay within sight of your ATM card.
How
to Avoid Card Fraud
• Keep your
card details safe
• Trust your
instincts
• Ask
questions
• Always
stay within sight of your ATM card
• Cover your
pin
• Be care
with online transactions
• Pay directly
to the company
• Report
suspicious automated teller machine
• Don’t
disclose card details over the phone
It is commonplace to find long queues in front of
automated teller machines. This offers scammers a good chance to steal your
card data. Capturing the data would provide easy access to your funds.
Tools of their trade include capturing devices such as
cameras or card readers. They use it to capture you entering the secret 4 pin
number on the keypad. The cameras are usually small and difficult to detect.
To prevent scammers from stealing the PIN shield the
entire keypad with your body. You can also use a free hand to cover the hand
you use to enter the pin. This is a simple yet effective strategy.
Online
Transactions
Millions of online transactions are carried out daily.
This is because people use the convenience of the internet to buy goods or pay
for services. Before making an online transaction you need to verify the
authenticity of the payment system.
All payment systems should have a secure verifiable
checkout provider. If you are in doubt refrain from entering you details. Some
scammers have perfected the art of duplication authentic payment system.
Simply carry out a scam check to find out about the
website. A simple solution is to go directly to the payment systems website and
login.
Paying
to an Organization
Some organizations ask for card details over the phone.
There is nothing wrong in that however scammers have perfected the act of
mimicking such organizations.
If the organization contacts you and asks for your
details refrain from giving it to them. A safe way is to find the organizations
website and use the number on the website. Verify the claim before giving them
the details.
Keep
your Card Close
It is important to keep sight of your card. Many
transactions are done in fast-food outlets, restaurants and hotels. The shop or
restaurant attendant might pretend to run the card through a POS while actually
taking your card and running it through a skimmer.
Some even skim your details behind a table or desk. Any
transaction is easily carried out in plain view so the attendant has no right
to carry your card out of sight.
A simple precaution is for the person to bring the POS to
your table before you hand them the card.
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How to apply for unsecured loans
The
Automated Teller Machine
The most common way to get scammed is while using an ATM
machine. Some machines are fitted with skimmers to steal your details. They
generally place the skimmers over the card reader to capture data on your card.
This is done when you place the card in the machine. The
skimmers are then retrieved and used to create a dummy card which is used to
access your account.
Skimmers are notoriously difficult to detect however
careful scrutiny of the front of the card reader would detect tampering. Signs
of tampering include different colored plastic around card slot, movable parts,
marks or scratches. If you detect anything that looks out of place notify the
bank.
Final
Word
Check
your Balance
It is important to check your account balance regularly.
This is a way to detect any unusual activity in your account. Luckily there are
many simple ways to check account balance.
You can use the banks dedicate usd number, online portal,
SMS and other available options. If you detect any unusual activity quickly
notify the bank.
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