With rapid technological development, deceits and deceptions too have turned high-tech. Banking and Debit/Credit Card related frauds have consequently become very sophisticated and a major area of concern to the Government and concerned authorities. The fraud relating to ATM or Debit Cards have assumed gigantic proportion of late. It is therefore necessary to take due preventive steps or exercise necessary caution to thwart any possible attempt to defraud you. We give below a few practical tips, which are easily implementable to ensure against frauds under this head.
There are quite some methodical ways of stealing your card information without your getting any inkling whatsoever. The easiest is the skimming, which is usually done by a deceitful employee of a legitimate sale outlets, restaurants or bars, by simply photocopying of receipts and extracting vital information to defraud you later on. It is therefore necessary to never let the shopkeeper or his agent take your card out of your sight. Ensure to keep your PIN or Security Code absolutely confidential. Never disclose your card number and PIN to anyone over the phone or otherwise. There have been several instances of scoundrels masquerading as representative of Banks for seeking such information on the pretext of verifying and validating your card. Do not fall in their traps.
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While applying for a Debit card, do keep a tab about the time it takes to get your request executed. If you do not receive the card and the relevant PIN within a reasonable period of time, do check up with the bank as there is always a possibility of someone else picking up your card/PIN in transit for defrauding you. Once you have the card, store it at a safe place beyond the reach of unauthorized persons. Some people have a habit of scribbling the PIN on the card itself. Do not do that.
While visiting an ATM, please ensure that it is situated in well lit and secured areas. Do take a note of your surroundings while withdrawing money. It is advisable to take the following precautions when using an ATM:
1. Do not crumple and throw away the transaction slips or debt card memos: read them, make a mental note of the details and then, either tear them or shred them to trash.
2. When you enter the PIN at an ATM, make sure that you sufficiently obscure the keypad from being seen by an onlooker. The fraudster can shoulder surf to see your PIN. Ensure that there are no external devices attached to the ATM machine and no wires are hanging around. If you notice something suspicious about the card slot or find any attached device, it is advisable not to use such machines
3. While entering the PIN, shield the keypad in such a manner that your finger movements are not discernible and you enter your passwords secretly
4. In case you find someone behind you while withdrawing money, ask him to wait out, or tell the ATM Security guard
5. Make it a habit to verify your Bank account regularly to ensure against unauthorized transactions.
1. Do not crumple and throw away the transaction slips or debt card memos: read them, make a mental note of the details and then, either tear them or shred them to trash.
2. When you enter the PIN at an ATM, make sure that you sufficiently obscure the keypad from being seen by an onlooker. The fraudster can shoulder surf to see your PIN. Ensure that there are no external devices attached to the ATM machine and no wires are hanging around. If you notice something suspicious about the card slot or find any attached device, it is advisable not to use such machines
3. While entering the PIN, shield the keypad in such a manner that your finger movements are not discernible and you enter your passwords secretly
4. In case you find someone behind you while withdrawing money, ask him to wait out, or tell the ATM Security guard
5. Make it a habit to verify your Bank account regularly to ensure against unauthorized transactions.
Author : Syed Zafar Ahmad
Designation: Executive Editor
Bio: A freelancer with a flair for experimenting with innovative technology and electronic gadgets that could enrich the life of a modern common man, and a consultant in issues touching every-day life of a computer suave professional.
Bio: A freelancer with a flair for experimenting with innovative technology and electronic gadgets that could enrich the life of a modern common man, and a consultant in issues touching every-day life of a computer suave professional.
