Credit /debit card fraud is a crime when your credit / debit card can be reproduced in order to use the credit balance to obtain a financial benefit. The creation and/or alteration of a credit/debit card occur when the information contained on the magnetic strip is compromised. This type of crime is known as ‘skimming’.
Credit /debit card fraud can also occur when your card is lost or stolen and used by a third party to purchase goods or to withdraw cash from the cards.
Your cards can also be compromised by a dishonest merchant who undertakes unauthorized duplicate transactions on your card.
How to protect yourself
- Memorize your personal identification number (PIN). Don't use the same PIN for all your cards, and don't choose your birth date or other easily identifiable numbers that might be on something else in your wallet.
- Do not use the same ATM card/credit card PINs for accessing other services.
- Change your ATM card & credit card PIN regularly.
- Never disclose your PIN information to a third party and never store your PIN in a way that it could be recognized.
- If your PIN is lost or has been identified by another person, please contact your bank to report the case immediately.
- Check statements and call us immediately if you see anything suspicious on your statement.
- Always keep your cards in your possession and never let them out of your sight especially in restaurants.
- Always sign your card in ink as soon as you receive it.
- Be careful when disposing of receipts from card transactions, as they will contain sensitive information. If possible, shred all unwanted receipts.
- Do not give your card to another person to use.
- Try to use ATM’S which are positioned in busy, well lit areas and if you spot anyone suspicious hanging around do not use it.
- Fraudsters use devices to steal your card details and PIN so before you use an ATM, look for any signs of tampering or damage.
- Shield your PIN when authorizing purchases or making cash withdrawals from an ATM.
- If your card is retained call us immediately.