Protect Yourself From Credit / Debit /ATM Card Fraud

According to the FTC (Federal Trade Commission), the total amount of credit card fraud worldwide, during year 2011 was a whopping ~US$5.5Billion.  17% Americans experienced Credit Card & ATM fraud.  In Australia, this was 25%; which meant every fourth person in the country, was subjected to card fraud.  According to the UK Credit Card Association, 341 Million Euro was lost in fraud in 2011, on cards issued in UK alone.

Obviously, Credit Card fraud is something that everyone of us need to seriously guard against. The extent of spread of card fraud points to an evident lack of alertness, rather than lack of knowledge about such fraud. There is a feeling of false pride (“No one gonna scam me!”) among lot of people and such complacency has been their undoing.

Steps to Protect Yourself  From Falling Prey to Credit / Debit /ATM Card Fraud

• Keep an eye on the card, when its given to a sales agent or at restaurant etc
• All transaction receipts should be kept safely till they are destroyed carefully by shredding
• Sign up for automated text alert from your Bank for any debit from your account
• Check your bank /card  statements every month
• Do not give your card number and bank account number to anyone  over phone  unless you are 100% certain
• Never allow your card to be charged over phone, whatever be the offer.  
• Always check background of anyone requiring your card/ bank/ identity info
• Even if there are no adverse remarks, as far as possible, avoid releasing personal info over phone, email or on websites
• Shop only at reputed websites with secure online payment.
• Avoid dealing with new websites offering “fantastic” deals or free offers. Thousands of fraudulent websites crop up everyday, pretending to be online shopping sites, only to steal money from unwary customers
• Be aware that someone could note down your ATM number and PIN, while transacting and hence take precautions
• Be alert about someone clicking your card picture while you are at a merchant counter
• Ensure that your anti virus and anti malware softwares  are active and up to date.
• Be alert about phishing emails which ask you to visit a website to validate or  reactivate your card or bank account
• Be alert about mails which could look deceptively similar to that from a bank or any website that you are familiar with. 
• Never click links in mails to go to your bank or card web page. Type in URL directly
• Never give in, to the pressure of “Account Cancellation”, “Account Verification” and such other emails. Take your time. Go to the actual website directly, by entering its URL to verify. 
• Inform your bank in advance, about any address change
• Verify your card / bank statements every month

Report phone numbers in emails, txt messages and phone numbers of crooks who called you to steal your card data at:  Scamcallfighters.com