Top 4 card frauds you should know and prevent

folarin okunola

May 18, 2015 1:55 PM

Card fraudsters are never relenting. They are constantly devising new ways to engage in their nefarious activities.

ATM

1. ATM Assistance.

You know those people at ATMs that always offer to help? Well, not all of them have good intentions.

There actually people who simply hang around crowded ATMs to prey on an unsuspecting user and then steal their card information. Don’t give anyone your card details at the ATM under any circumstances.

If you don’t know how to use the ATM, visit your bank branch or ask a family member to walk you through it.

2. Phishing Mails.

These are emails sent to people asking them to fill out sensitive information online, while masquerading as a trustworthy source. Don’t ever regard these mails as genuine.

Your bank will NEVER ask you to give your information via email for ANY reason. So the best thing to do when you see such emails is to ignore.

3. Card out of sight.

This is another method fraudsters use to carry out their activities.

When you want to use your card for payment at a POS terminal, the attendant may take your card out of your sight, supposedly to complete the payment process. However, they can use this opportunity to clone your card and its information and then be able to use the clone for their own transactions.

Whenever you are making payments or using a POS terminal, NEVER let your card out of your sight.

4. Shoulder Surfing.

This is one of the most common means to card fraud.

When you’re using the ATM or POS, fraudsters lean in over your shoulder watching your every move and taking note of your details.

To prevent this, always look around and make sure no one is watching you before you use the ATM. Also, always make sure you cover the keypad when your using the ATM or POS.

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