Q. A friend of mine had his credit card “skimmed” and in each case 2 additional transactions were carried out on his accounts costing him over € 700 each. I cannot afford to have this happen to me – have you any advice to reduce this risk ? Tommy – Clonmel Co Tippderary
A. Thanks Tommy.. yes it is a worry. Consumers must be smart if they are to beat this type of fraud at any time during the year. By adopting these 3 simple rules you can arm yourself against hucksters heading your way :
- Online Safety: Do not click on links in any emails you receive from financial institutions even if you are 100 per cent sure they are legitimate. Go to your browser instead and type in the domain name of the institution, for example www.aib.ie or www.paypal.com and then login to your account. Remember, some emails you receive about your financial accounts are “phishing” emails.
- Watch out for “Shoulder Surfers” and “Skimmers”: Shield the entry of PINs and be aware of people standing too close to you when you are using your credit or debit card in public. Many criminals use mobile phone videos and cameras when should surfing to obtain your private information. Never allow a salesperson to take your credit card out of your sight when you are making a purchase. It is also advisable to use ATM machines that are familiar to you, so it is easier to notice if the equipment has been tampered. Your increased awareness may reveal a skimmer’s attempt to steal PINs and banking details at that site.
- Shred Before Dumping: Do not throw pre-approved credit offers in your bin without shredding them beforehand. Fraudsters sift through bins to retrieve these and use the offers to order credit cards in your name. Other sensitive information like credit card receipts and phone bills should be destroyed as well.
You have been warned !