Top 10 ways avoid falling victim to card skimming fraud

BANKS are urging everyone to be alert in all their banking transactions this festive season.
Last week, the SA Banking Risk Information centre revealed that credit card fraud has increased by 23% in 2014, with KZN among the worst affected provinces.
SABRIC’s Kaylani Pillay said that KZN is also one of the three provinces with the highest number of card skimming incidents – an illegal copying of private information that may occur at ATMs or sales points.
Pillay said that consumers must adhere to ATM safety tips such as not letting their cards out of sight when transacting.
“If you are using an ATM please do not allow anyone to provide you with assistance, even if the person is wearing the bank’s clothing, “he said.
Criminals can use various methods to steal debit card and credit card information, and then use this information to commit card fraud.
Here are some tips on how to prevent falling victim to card skimming fraud:

1. If you think the ATM is faulty, cancel the transaction immediately, report the fault to your bank, and transact at another ATM.

2. Be cautious of strangers offering help as they could be trying to distract you in order to get your card or PIN.

3. If you are disturbed or interfered with whilst transacting at the ATM, your card could be skimmed by being removed and replaced back into the ATM without your knowledge. Cancel the transaction and immediately report the incident using your bank’s toll free number which is displayed on the ATM or on the back of your bank card.

4. Choose familiar and well-lit ATMs where you are visible and safe to transact.

5. Know what your ATM looks like so that you are able to identify any foreign objects attached to it.

6. If your card is retained, do not leave the ATM before you have cancelled your card by calling your bank’s call centre using your own mobile phone.

7. Shield the hand that is typing your PIN.

8. Never let the card out of your sight when making payments and, if possible, insert the card into the point of sale device yourself.

9. Always ensure that the card you receive out of the ATM is your own.

10. If you have debit, cheque, and credit cards, don’t choose the same PIN for all of them so that if you lose one, the others will still be safe.