1. Always keep your credit card data secure and check your credit card statement regularly. Doing silly things like keeping your pin number near to to your cards in your wallet has caused more people more stress than any other type of fraud. If a fraudster pickpockets your wallet or finds it lying in the street and there is a four digit number embedded somewhere in your wallet, they’re going to try withdraw money from a cash machine. Under this scenario, your bank will not protect you because their terms and conditions tell you to keep your pin number and your cards separate.
2. Don’t use your credit card on dodgy websites which are selling dodgy things. When you are online, always try to pay for goods through a known payment gateway including PayPal, clickbank, clicktopay, money bookers or net teller. These website payment gateways are extremely secure and cover you fully if you’re credit card or debit card information falls into the wrong hands.
3. Never give out sensitive financial information over the Internet. The recent rise in phishing attacks in e-mail is causing a great deal of concern. This is a very effective way to fraudulently gain money from your personal details. There have been many reports of stock traders, poker players and other people who keep large amounts of money on the Internet being targeted by this type of activity. Watch out.
4. If you are approached by a company representative on the telephone, you should always try to validate their identity. If you’re suspicious of a telephone caller, ask them to verify their identity. Most large companies have various programs in place to enable their call centre staff to do this effectively. In many cases, they can send you an e-mail from an e-mail account bearing the company’s official name.
5. Protect your wallet while you are out and about. Never leave your wallet or handbag in a place where can easily be lifted by pickpockets are opportunistic thieves. This type of activity is increasing all the time and you should be aware of it.
6. Check your credit rating at least annually. This will flag up any suspicious activity and loans which have been taken out in your name without your knowledge.
7. Conduct your banking online so that you can have instant access to your credit card statements any time you want from anywhere in the world.
8. Be careful when you are away on holiday about how you use credit cards. Very often, this is where frauds take place because fraudsters know they could have as long as a week or two in which to drain your accounts.
