How to Avoid Debit & Credit Fraud

Debit and credit purchases have become so common most consumers would not think twice about being a victim of fraud. Technology, however, is not just advancing for consumers, but for criminals as well.

A determined fraudster, for example, could manage to get your PIN using thermal-imaging attachments for a phone, as the numbers pressed will have a distinct heat signature. The best way to be protected from this method of fraud is to rest fingers on multiple buttons to create a more confusing heat signature.

The most basic techniques, like avoiding predictable passwords and PINs, can also greatly increase personal security. Using one password for everything can make it incredibly easy for a fraudster to impersonate you by gaining access to a number of different accounts.

While most banks are proactive in trying to protect customers, a lost debit or credit card can still create havoc before its cancellation. It may seem harmless to wait a few days in hopes that the lost card might turn up, but personal information can be sent around the world in a matter of moments. Instead, if a card is lost the best option is to cancel it as quickly as possible. A short trip to the bank for a new card is much less time consuming than dealing with the fallout from fraud.

Passwords and PINs should never be posted online. Be sure to avoid clicking a “remember password” prompt on any public computers, or even on a personal computer. Individuals who are less computer-literate could potentially have malicious tracking programs at home without even realizing.

Ultimately, the best prevention for fraud is to be mindful of personal security. Fraud can happen to anyone, anywhere. The more prepared a consumer is, the less likely it is for fraud to occur.