Avoid card skimming fraud these holidays

AS THE festive season draws closer, locals are reminded to stay safe at all times as criminals are also looking for ways to make quick buck.
One such way is through ATM Card Skimming, the copying of encoded information from the magnetic stripe of a legitimate card, making use of a card reader, for fraudulent purposes and utilising the data to encode counterfeit, lost, or stolen cards.
Here are some tips to help you avoid falling victim:
Cover up: Always cover your one hand with the other hand while keying in the PIN number. By protecting your PIN, criminals do not have access to your account when card information is compromised (this method is useful when transacting at an ATM or Point of Sale).

inContact: Ensure you have inContact activated on all your transactional accounts (credit cards, cheque cards etc.) to ensure that you always know when fraudulent activity takes place on your account/s.

Stand close to the ATM and use your body as a shield and extra security to protect your Card and PIN.

Do not accept assistance, guidance or allow anyone to interfere with your transaction – fraudsters sometimes pose as bank officials by offering assistance or interfering with your transaction.

Only insert the card when the ATM prompts you to do so – fraudsters jam ATMs to create confusion with customers.

Control your exposure in terms of daily ATM limits – lower your daily ATM limits if the limit is set at a level unrealistic to what you would usually spend.

Don’t allow anyone to call you back to the ATM after transacting, requesting you to insert your card into the ATM again – fraudsters use this technique to confuse customers who’ve already finalised their transactions and are busy walking away from the ATM.

Be observant of your surroundings when transacting at the ATM – Leave the ATM immediately if you feel unsafe or when suspicious people are loitering around the ATM.

Use ATMs you are familiar with and do not use ATMs in secluded areas or late at night.

Report any suspicious activity/tampering at the ATM to your bank immediately.

Check the card scanner slot: Give it a wiggle. Often skimming devices are false panels that can be detected and will come lose.

Choose your ATM carefully: Use ATMs in high traffic areas that are well lit.

Never force your card into an ATM slot.

If your card is trapped or swallowed by an ATM, do not leave the ATM. Call the bankcard stop number immediately to cancel the card before leaving the ATM.

Do not accept an offer to use someone else’s phone when phoning your bank to cancel your card.