Credit card fraud is constant threat in todays day and age financial life. Getting your information stolen is something many worry about so be sure to do what you can do to avoid this.
Keep reading below to find out the riskiest places to swipe your credit card.
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Riskiest Places to Swipe
Below are the following riskiest place to swipe your credit card so be sure to take extra care when using at these places!
ATM Machines
Thieves skim debit/credit card information from ATMs for a long time. As credit card technology advances so do thieves so be careful when using your ATMs!
Gas Stations
Gas stations have a lot of customers and very minimal supervision. This means thieves have plenty of opportunity to install skimmers and cameras to capture PIN numbers. It has gotten so bad that the secret service has gotten involved.
Mobile Vendors
While there are a variety of trustworthy vendors there also several thieves posing as vendors. At festivals and events its hard to tell which vendors are legit.
Dinning Establishment
Not all restaurants swipe your card in a visible location, some run to the back. If the worker swiping your card is an unsavory character they may try and steal your information when no one is looking.
Chain Retailers
While large chain retail stores may seem like a safer option however several retailers such as Target and T.J. Maxx have had data breaches involving credit card information!
Online Retailers
Online transactions can leave your credit card information exposed. Your information can be stolen by malware so make sure the site you shop at is credible.
How to Protect Your Card
With such a variety of ways that could potentially lead to your card being compromised, taking the proper steps to reduce the chances of being a victim of identity theft.
High Visibility ATMs
While any ATM may have been tampered with, high traffic areas and highly visible areas reduce the risk of the ATM being tampered with.
Check Readers at Gas Station
When using a gas pump you should briefly check the card reader to make sure it has not been tampered with.
Look at Other Nearby Readers
If there are identical readers around you be sure to check that yours look the same as yours. You can also give the reader a tug and if anything seems lose do not use your card there.
Vet Mobile Vendors
When shopping online make sure to thoroughly examine the website and background the company to ensure authenticity.
Carry Cash
If where you are shopping seems suspicious in anyway having cash on hand can help face potential uncertainties and use it when things seem risky.
What You Should Do If You Get Skimmed
No matter how careful you are there is always the chance you get your information stolen follow the steps below if you do become a victim:
- Notify your card issuer immediately
- Give card issuer a written statement
- Receive new card and get a new PIN
- Monitor account statements
- Report unauthorized charges
Conclusion
Making sure you keep your finances safe is always a good idea.
Additionally, If you are interested be sure to check out our list of bank bonuses, saving rates and CD rates!
