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Some good tips on credit card safety

21
Jul
2011

I had seen both types of people, like people who are too much paranoid about security and do not use credit card at all or do not do any online banking transactions at all and then I had seen people who do not care about security at all and use credit card to do payments online and other places. I cannot use careless word for these users but unaware could be the case with them. The right way would be to take the balanced approach and use the new technology and facilities in the right way and still be secure.

There is urgent need for spreading the awareness on skimming attacks and other credit card frauds unless its too late for some of the these credit card users. The new generation scammers are improving upon daily and finding out new ways to steal the credit card credentials of the innocent users.

Few simple guidelines one needs to follow with respect to credit/debit cards:

Tip #1:
Do not share your credit card PIN number with any body. Many times it happens that some people send someone else to remove money from ATM as they are stuck up or busy with something else and cannot visit ATM. To do this they also share the PIN number to the person whom they are sending and trust. No matter how trusted the person can be but sharing PIN number can be risky as we do not know how securely the person may be using or typing the number. Nobody else can be so vigilant then yourself with your credit card and its use.

Tip #2:
If you are regular user of ATM machine service its always better to stick to one or few ATM machines. This will help you to pay attention towards other details of the machine and see if anything is changed when you have used it last time. ATM skimming is on the rise and this works by tempering the ATM machine with some add-on to it which captures your credit card details. Recently a Global ATM skimming racket was busted by European police agency. Link to the complete news is included below.

Tip #3:
Always check your credit card bills and account statement carefully. If any transaction that appears which is not done by you, report it to your bank immediately. You not receiving the credit card bill in your billing cycle time is also a important warning for you to check if its accidental delay or your billing address is changed without your notice.

Tip #4:
Keep an eye on your credit card when you hand it over to payment counter at any merchandise.

Tip #5:
Link your mobile number with your credit card account for transaction alerts. This way you can get SMS notification every time you use your credit card. This way you will detect the credit card fraud immediately if you receive credit card transaction SMS even if you have not done any transaction on your credit card.

Tip #6:
When using computer to do online banking or credit card purchase it is very important that you have appropriate security software installed on your computer. Your security software should have some important features like cloud based web security and anti-phishing apart from core protection features like AntiVirus, Firewall, AntiSpyware etc. Just AntiVirus protection (like cheap alternates or freeware) won’t carry all these features like we have in our suites Quick Heal Internet Security and Quick Heal Total Security. These both products give the reliable protection when it comes to online transactions.

So the next time you use your card for payment or at ATM please be more vigilant on your part to avoid getting in trouble. Awareness is more important so spread the word to your family and friends by asking them to be more vigilant the next time they use their credit card.

Important links:
Global ATM skimming racket
Quick Heal Internet Security
Quick Heal Total Security

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