It’s not just about protection; being cautious about your account’s security can help prevent problems from occurring in the first place.
Keeping your credit cards safe is generally a matter of basic sense. You should be highly protective about your credit card as these are the most famous tools to hackers. There are certain credit card safety tips that are easy to follow and can help you keep your accounts protected. You just need to be extra educated and certain about these tricks before having a credit card. The best credit cards in India provide some extra sort of protection and schemes in case of credit card scams or if your credit card is stolen. Do look out for these schemes before applying for credit cards.
It’s difficult to keep hackers from acquiring your information since they’re going after the companies that hold it. Regardless, there are a few things you can do to lessen the impact and protect yourself from credit card scams and thefts.
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Use an RFID blocking sleeve or wallet to prevent remote reading
If you have a recent card, it’s likely that it’s contactless, leaving you vulnerable to remote hacks and data theft. For example, using a customised Android software, hackers can simply obtain your credit card number, expiration date, and a log of the last 10 transactions using a remote NFC reader. Researchers have demonstrated that this information can be read from a (short) distance of 45 cm, highlighting the importance of safeguarding against remote reading. Look for the wave (wi-fi) icon on your card to verify if it allows contactless reading.
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Shred your old card and PIN letter to protect yourself from dumpster attacks
Chances are you’ll get a new card while the old one is still good. Because the card number will be the same, make sure you shred the old card. Similarly, shred the letter that arrived with your new card as well as the letter containing your PIN, but make sure to save it in your password manager first!
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Keep your account number hidden
When you’re out in public, don’t let anyone see your card. Only give your account number over the phone if you initiated the contact and are speaking with a bank or merchant you know and trust. Be wary of messages that ask you to provide personal information or click a questionable link via email, text, phone, or social media.
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Reduce the danger of online fraud by scratching the security code from your card
Since the CVV code on the back of your card is only used for online purchasing, there’s no reason not to scratch it off after it’s safely stored in your password manager. The ideal way is to remove most of the marking using a nail file and then fill in the gaps with a permanent marker.
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Protect your devices and networks
You may be exposed if you allow your browser to save your credit card number. Consider turning off the Autofill feature in each browser you use to avoid this.
Consider using a digital wallet, which is a payment system that is stored on your smartphone and allows you to perform electronic transactions using your credit cards. Digital wallets have the potential to be safer than carrying a credit card since they use encryption, tokenization, and authentication. If you use a digital wallet, make it difficult to access your phone by demanding a passcode and, if feasible, a fingerprint, and download an app to assist you locate it if you misplace it.
The Bottom Line
Act now to make yourself less vulnerable if you haven’t already been a victim. Don’t be frightened if you have. It will take some time to clear everything up, but you will not be responsible for any costs that were not your fault. Call your credit card company and inform them of any fraudulent charges. Wait for them to remove them from your account. Meanwhile, keep an eye on your credit report and credit card bills for any other indicators of unauthorised activity. Worrying is not a solution to any problem, instead you need to be smart and take precautions. Contact your bank or credit card issuer immediately if you lose your credit card or suspect any kind of fraudulent activity. They can disable your card and account number so that no one else can use them and replace it with a new one.
Read Also: 5 Things to Do When You Receive a New Credit Card
