The number of ways to prevent credit card information from theft is growing daily. There are now more ways than ever for a thief to get their hands on your personal details and they are using newer technology. One of the most common methods used by thieves is skimming, where a thief uses an optic device to take a quick look at the information on the card.
Once the thief has gained this information, they will then attempt to use it. Most of the time they will be looking to make a big score and will try to obtain as much information as possible from the card. Often they will just try to write down the security number and the expiry date but other times they will go straight for the pin number.
Another way to commit fraud with cards is to replace the pin number with a duplicate number. This way, even if the card is recognized by a fraud check, you won't be caught. There are several problems with this method. One is that if the fraudster gets their hands on the original pin number, then they can easily replicate it.
To combat this, it's a good idea to put any such numbers in a safe place. The best way to do this is to put it in the bank's safe or an offline storage facility. Also, you can hide it away somewhere where they can't see it. Again, this is best done when out and about and not when at home. A note that says something like "Please keep this data secret, please don't give this to anyone."
When people think of ways to prevent credit card details from theft, often the first thing that comes to mind is simply avoiding carrying large amounts of cash. Unfortunately this isn't enough. You need to think about how you store your cards too. If you don't use them regularly, then it's more likely that thieves will target them. You should try and limit the amount of information that is on the card and only use it once every few months.
Another way to protect yourself is to check all your statements and make sure that the information shown on them is accurate. It can be tempting to just take the easy way out and phone the retailer and say that everything looks OK. However, this isn't a good idea. It's possible that the retailer could get someone else to write the information for you, which could result in your account being emptied. This would leave you with a big hole to play and it's definitely not worth the risk.
You should also try and protect your PIN number. Again, this is often written on the back of your credit card. You should never write this yourself because it's very easy to steal. You can prevent this by either having a PIN printed on your card, or making sure that someone never has a copy of your pin number. If they do, then you are done for.
One of the easiest ways to prevent credit card information theft is to register with a trustworthy CVV Shop. Card Verification Value parents your private data of cards to not being stolen. You Should never reply to unsolicited emails. Anybody who is requesting personal information is not trying to help you, but trying to steal your identity. Emails from banks or other financial institutions should always be viewed with caution. They can be sent by your bank, and there is always the chance that you may click on a link in an email that takes you to a fake website. In addition to this, if the website looks legitimate, don't go to it. This may mean that the site isn't a scam, but if it looks like a real website, then you know that it's safe to enter your details.
