How to Prevent Credit Card Fraud

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You will become a victim of credit card fraud if you do not handle or use your credit or debit cards with care. Here are some safety precautions.

When using your physical credit or debit card

A growing number of stores don’t allow their employees to handle their customers’ cards. That is, you must be the one to tap or insert your card into their online card terminal. This is good practice because you are always in possession of your card during the transaction.

In stores that still do things the old-fashioned way, make sure that the store employee will perform the card transaction on a nearby terminal where you can plainly see what she will do with your card. Bear in mind that it only takes a moment for a thief to copy your credit card details.

Be prepared to pay in cash rather than lose sight of your card.

Wireless-enabled cards

Technologies like RFID and NFC have enabled speedy and convenient wireless transactions. To pay, just tap your card at the card terminal. For small-value transactions, you don’t even have to sign a card transaction slip. This makes it more important than ever to never lose possession of your card.

Paying with your smartphone

With Apple Pay, Google Pay and similar payment apps, your smartphone can be used as a substitute for your physical credit card. When paying with your smartphone, never hand it over; be the one to tap it on the payment terminal. After paying, close the payment app and turn off the smartphone's NFC.

Take care to not lose your smartphone and be prepared for the worst. Protect your smartphone with a PIN, password or biometric authentication. Learn how to locate your smartphone using Find my Phone/Device. Learn how to remote-command your smartphone to lock itself or wipe all your data. 

Online Shopping

Practice safe browsing to ensure the safety of your credit card details and other sensitive information when shopping online. Please read my post on safe browsing.

If possible, get a virtual card number from your credit card issuer. Always use your virtual card number for online shopping—never your actual credit card number. A virtual card number reduces your exposure to credit card fraud. 


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