Skimming devices can be fitted to ATMs or card readers in shops to copy information from the magnetic stripe on your card, and the breached data will create a clone of your card, enabling fraudulent purchases. To avoid becoming a victim of skimming, always cover your hand when you enter your PIN at an ATM, and check for any unusual devices or suspicious activity around machines before using them. When shopping in person, pay attention to whether or not the card reader looks like it has been tampered with.
Phishing is a type of online fraud where criminals attempt to trick victims into revealing personal or financial information. They do this by sending fake emails or messages that appear to be from a legitimate source, such as a bank or retailer. Do not click on any links or attachments if you receive an email or message that looks suspicious. Instead, contact the company directly to confirm whether or not the communication is genuine.
Another common way for hackers to obtain credit card data is through data breaches. It is where criminals gain unauthorized access to a company's computer systems and steal customer information. Once the hackers have this data, they can use it to commit fraud. To protect yourself from becoming a victim of fraud in the event of a data breach, keep your anti-virus software up to date and be wary of any unsolicited emails or messages that claim to be from the breached company.
Malware is malicious software used to steal personal information, including credit card data. Hackers can install malware on your computer without your knowledge, which can be challenging to detect. To protect yourself from malware, keep your anti-virus software up to date and be cautious about what you click on and download from the internet.
Card-not-present fraud occurs when criminals make purchases using stolen credit card data without possessing your card. This fraud is most common online but can also happen over the phone or through mail order transactions. To avoid becoming a victim of card-not-present fraud, only make purchases from reputable websites and be sure to check for the HTTPS:// at the beginning of the web address. When purchasing over the phone, verify the identity of the person you are speaking to before giving them your credit card information.
( Posted by Andrew Juras on 10/19/22 )