Almost everyone has a credit card; they make payments quick, easy, and convenient, and they can be used to make online purchases, pay for parking, and much more.
The downside is that they are open to fraud. Attackers can gain access to your personal and card information through a number of ingenious ways (including card skimming and swapping), and then use it to make purchases.
Luckily, there a many ways you can protect yourself – and your hard-earned money – from this risk. Just follow these simple steps:
- Sign your card when you receive it
Many merchants will match signatures when processing transactions.
- Review your account statements
Check your receipts against your statements every week to ensure you haven’t been overcharged, or that refunds have been paid back in full. If you see a charge you don’t recognise, contact your bank immediately.
- When shopping online, only place orders with your card on secure websites
Look for the lock icon in your browser and pay attention to any security warnings that pop up.
- Use secure connections and avoid public Wi-Fi
If you’re going to access financial accounts or punch in card numbers, wait until you’re at home or work, and you know your traffic is safe.
- Don’t send your card details via email
Don’t send emails that include card details, such as your card number and expiry date.
- Check your credit card when you get it back
Ensure that you get your own card back after every purchase and ATM transaction.
- Never write down your PIN or disclose it to anyone
Even if your card is lost or stolen, without your PIN, it’s almost useless to criminals if they want to do an ATM or over-the-counter transaction.
Keep your PIN a secret and also make it hard to guess.
- Destroy your credit card receipts before discarding them
Dispose of your receipts when they’re no longer useful by shredding or tearing them up, rather than just tossing them in a rubbish bin.
- Never let your card out of your sight
Fraudsters can use sophisticated devices to skim your card and steal your PIN.
- Report lost and stolen cards immediately
If your card is lost, stolen or retained in an ATM, report it immediately to your bank.
If you really want to treat yourself to the fullest protection against fraud, opt for a Standard Bank credit card. Embedded with a computer chip that is harder to counterfeit than traditional magnetic strips, it allows safe, easy purchases at millions of merchants worldwide.
Standard Bank credit cards also come with additional features, such as MyUpdates SMS alerts, lost card protection, basic travel insurance, Internet Banking, app banking and telephone banking, as well as our contactless Tap to Pay payment method.
For more information, visit our website.