Credit Card Scam – Stay Cyber Aware!
We have everything at our fingertips in the world of digitalization. With a few clicks and swaps, we can complete any financial transaction. Technology has significantly improved our lives, but there are still some drawbacks. Scammers are defrauding people with this common technique of “Credit Card scam”
Nearly every day in India, several forms of this scam take place. It can easily prevent if you exercise caution when managing any financial transactions. Continue reading this blog to get more information about it.
Different Types of This Fraud
There are several kinds of tactics through which fraudsters con people. It can happen face-to-face, over the phone, over text message, or online. Your cards can be stolen from your inbox, information to be stolen due to a data breach, or phoney emails to trick you.
You must be aware of the many forms of credit card scams if you want to prevent being a victim. While being cautious might lessen your risks, good prevention won’t make you immune to it.
1. Credit Card Skimming: It is most likely one of the most widespread and well-known types of credit card theft. With skimming, con artists frequently install skimming equipment on card readers or at ATMs. In this manner, the device records card information as many time as you use it, whether you make a purchase or withdraw cash, which is subsequently sent to the con artists. Then, the con artists utilize this information to go on a spending binge.
Useless ATMs and point-of-sale terminals are one technique to prevent this from happening. Do not use the ATM if you notice that it is hooked to any device.
Do not worry if your card information is stolen, immediately notify your bank.
2. Account Takeover: After collecting personal information, con artists pose as cardholders to contact credit card companies. They then alter PIN codes and passwords to get access to the account. When the cardholder tries to use your card or log into your online account, this kind of credit card fraud is probably can be notice.
3. Phishing: Persuasion is a part of phishing. Consider getting an email that seems official since it comes from a reputable bank or financial institution. Your first instinct is to click and see what it is about. That link will take you to a suspicious website where you you have to enter your personal information when you click it.
Most individuals fall prey to these traps. Never forget that banks seldom email you asking for your information. Make careful to notify your credit card issuer if you ever receive an email or SMS of this nature to avoid falling victim to the scam. Additionally, you must exercise extreme caution before responding to any such email or SMS.
4. Hacking: Hacking must be one of the most typical ways to use a credit card fraudulently in India. It is most likely the earliest technique for carrying out fraud. Hackers are improving their abilities along with technological advances. Your complete personal information can be stolen by hacking any of your gadgets.
Similarly, companies you’ve done business with might have their data stolen by hackers. As a result, they can hack data for fraud.
5. Lost or Stolen Cards: Simply taking someone else’s credit card or using a card that has been misplaced is one of the simplest types of credit card theft. Additionally, thieves snare credit cards that are mail to cardholders.
6. Card-not-present (CNP) Fraud: Scammers steal the personal information and credit card of cardholders, then use that information to make transactions over the phone or online. Due to the lack of a physical card to inspect and the merchant’s inability to confirm the customer’s identity, CNP fraud is challenging to stop.
7. Dumpster Diving: People frequently throw away invoices or other documents that contain their credit card information carelessly. Anyone can gather them to obtain their bank information and use it in scams. Dumpster diving is the term for this activity.
Such documents with sensitive information are vulnerable to misuse by hackers. So, when it comes time to trash any such documents, either shred them or wipe off such facts. You can avoid this by taking certain safety precautions while using a credit card.
8. Credit card application fraud: Cybercriminals use to steal personal information including name, address, birth date, and social security number. This kind of fraud may go unnoticed until the victim check their credit record. Due to the security provided by credit cards, the victim is normally not liable for any transactions made using a fake account; nonetheless, this kind of fraud might harm the victim’s credit score.
Protect Yourself from Credit Card Fraud
Though, we cannot stop fraudsters from doing such malicious practices. But we can prevent these types of scams by practicing some best safety measures.
- Never provide your sensitive information to any unknown person.
- Set up account alerts to inform you of erroneous transactions, such as charges that exceed a predetermined threshold.
- Remember not to click on any suspicious link given in messages or emails.
- To prevent yourself against skimming, stay away from suspicious card readers, such as with sticky keypads or those seem to be haphazardly attached to an ATM or gas pump.
- Make sure you have a strong PIN for your credit card.
- If you found any suspicious activities with your credit card then immediately inform your bank.
What You Have to Do If You Fall Prey to Credit Card Scam?
There are many options available for filing a complaint, you can look at them and choose at your convenience.
But first, remember this always file a complaint within 48 hours.
- At your nearest cyber crime police station.
- If you want to report online then visit “cybercrime.gov.in”.
- You can dial a helpline number “1930” to file a complaint.
Summary
Our need to protect ourselves from this fraud has increased along with the use of credit cards. You can protect yourself from falling prey to these fraudulent tactics by becoming familiar with the most common credit card Scam in India and implementing preventive measures like consistent transaction monitoring, protecting personal information, and promptly reporting suspicious activity to your bank. Keep a sharp eye out, put security first, and take advantage of using credit cards responsibly.
