Essential Tips for Safeguarding Against Credit Card Theft
Many of the credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which Wise Bread receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Any opinions expressed are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, endorsed, or provided by the issuer.
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Last fall, I received an email that appeared to be from my web host. The email claimed there was a problem with my payment information and asked me to update it. Trusting the source, I clicked the link and entered my credit card number, thinking it was necessary due to recent changes I had made to my site.
The next morning, I logged onto my credit card account to find two large unauthorized purchases. A scammer had successfully phished my payment information.
This embarrassing lapse in security is particularly disheartening for a personal finance writer. I know better than to click links in emails claiming to be from my bank or credit card lender. However, the email came from a source that didn’t seem directly financial, and I was preoccupied with my website changes.
Fortunately, I check my credit card balance daily, which allowed me to catch the fraudulent charges quickly. However, it’s always better to be proactive in avoiding credit card theft to prevent the lengthy cleanup process I endured.
Here’s how you can protect yourself from credit card theft.
Protecting Your Physical Credit Card
Stealing your physical credit or debit card is one of the easiest ways for a scammer to access your funds. With the actual card, they have all the information needed to make fraudulent purchases: the card number, expiration date, and security code.
To safeguard your cards, avoid carrying more than you need. A bulging wallet increases the risk of losing a card without realizing it. Restaurants are common places to misplace cards, so make it a habit to check for your card before leaving.
If you lose a card, contact your bank immediately to report it as lost or stolen. The quicker you act, the less likely scammers will make unauthorized charges. Keep your bank’s contact number handy for emergencies. (See also: Don’t Panic: Do This If Your Identity Gets Stolen)
Recognizing Card Skimmers
Credit card thieves also employ high-tech methods to steal your information. Card skimmers are small devices placed on legitimate card scanners, like those at gas pumps or ATMs.
When you swipe your card, the skimmer captures all the information from your card’s magnetic stripe. Some skimmers even have tiny cameras to record your PIN, giving fraudsters everything they need to access your account.
Fortunately, you can detect skimmers. Look for devices that stick out from the panel or seem loose. If something looks suspicious, opt for a different gas station or ATM. (See also: 18 Surprising Ways Your Identity Can Be Stolen)
Protecting Your Credit Card Numbers at Home
Your home can also be a target for thieves seeking sensitive information. Collect your mail daily, especially credit card offers and statements. While mail theft is rare, it’s wise to put a hold on your mail when traveling.
Once you receive card-related paperwork, be cautious. Scammers may resort to dumpster diving to find your credit card number. Shred any documents containing your credit card information before disposal.
Additionally, be cautious about sharing information over the phone. Only provide your credit card numbers if you initiated the call. Scammers often impersonate customer service agents to obtain your information. If in doubt, hang up and call the institution directly using their official number.
Keeping Your Cards Safe Online
Never provide your credit card information via links in emails claiming to be from your financial institution. Scammers can create fake emails and websites that look legitimate, as I learned the hard way.
Always check the sender’s email address and the URL of any links. Legitimate sites requiring financial information will have secure URLs starting with https:// and display a lock icon in the browser bar. If these elements are missing, do not enter your credit card information. (See also: 3 Ways Millennials Can Avoid Financial Fraud)
Daily Practices That Keep You Safe
In addition to these precautions, everyday choices can enhance your credit card security. Use strong, unique passwords for all online financial services and avoid writing them down in easily accessible places.
Regularly reviewing your credit card and banking statements can help ensure that you are the only one making purchases. This daily habit allowed me to catch the fraudulent charges before the scammers could receive the items they attempted to purchase.
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Many of the credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which Wise Bread receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Any opinions expressed are those of the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved, endorsed, or provided by the issuer.
Wise Bread Picks
Last fall, I received an email that appeared to be from my web host. The email claimed there was a problem with my payment information and asked me to update it. Trusting the source, I clicked the link and entered my credit card number, thinking it was necessary due to recent changes I had made to my site.
The next morning, I logged onto my credit card account to find two large unauthorized purchases. A scammer had successfully phished my payment information.
This embarrassing lapse in security is particularly disheartening for a personal finance writer. I know better than to click links in emails claiming to be from my bank or credit card lender. However, the email came from a source that didn’t seem directly financial, and I was preoccupied with my website changes.
Fortunately, I check my credit card balance daily, which allowed me to catch the fraudulent charges quickly. However, it’s always better to be proactive in avoiding credit card theft to prevent the lengthy cleanup process I endured.
Here’s how you can protect yourself from credit card theft.
Protecting Your Physical Credit Card
Stealing your physical credit or debit card is one of the easiest ways for a scammer to access your funds. With the actual card, they have all the information needed to make fraudulent purchases: the card number, expiration date, and security code.
To safeguard your cards, avoid carrying more than you need. A bulging wallet increases the risk of losing a card without realizing it. Restaurants are common places to misplace cards, so make it a habit to check for your card before leaving.
If you lose a card, contact your bank immediately to report it as lost or stolen. The quicker you act, the less likely scammers will make unauthorized charges. Keep your bank’s contact number handy for emergencies. (See also: Don’t Panic: Do This If Your Identity Gets Stolen)
Recognizing Card Skimmers
Credit card thieves also employ high-tech methods to steal your information. Card skimmers are small devices placed on legitimate card scanners, like those at gas pumps or ATMs.
When you swipe your card, the skimmer captures all the information from your card’s magnetic stripe. Some skimmers even have tiny cameras to record your PIN, giving fraudsters everything they need to access your account.
Fortunately, you can detect skimmers. Look for devices that stick out from the panel or seem loose. If something looks suspicious, opt for a different gas station or ATM. (See also: 18 Surprising Ways Your Identity Can Be Stolen)
Protecting Your Credit Card Numbers at Home
Your home can also be a target for thieves seeking sensitive information. Collect your mail daily, especially credit card offers and statements. While mail theft is rare, it’s wise to put a hold on your mail when traveling.
Once you receive card-related paperwork, be cautious. Scammers may resort to dumpster diving to find your credit card number. Shred any documents containing your credit card information before disposal.
Additionally, be cautious about sharing information over the phone. Only provide your credit card numbers if you initiated the call. Scammers often impersonate customer service agents to obtain your information. If in doubt, hang up and call the institution directly using their official number.
Keeping Your Cards Safe Online
Never provide your credit card information via links in emails claiming to be from your financial institution. Scammers can create fake emails and websites that look legitimate, as I learned the hard way.
Always check the sender’s email address and the URL of any links. Legitimate sites requiring financial information will have secure URLs starting with https:// and display a lock icon in the browser bar. If these elements are missing, do not enter your credit card information. (See also: 3 Ways Millennials Can Avoid Financial Fraud)
Daily Practices That Keep You Safe
In addition to these precautions, everyday choices can enhance your credit card security. Use strong, unique passwords for all online financial services and avoid writing them down in easily accessible places.
Regularly reviewing your credit card and banking statements can help ensure that you are the only one making purchases. This daily habit allowed me to catch the fraudulent charges before the scammers could receive the items they attempted to purchase.
