Bank cards have become an integral part of almost every adult’s life: it receives our wages, we use it to pay for purchases, and many purchases in online – stores. Bank cards are much more convenient than regular cash, because they are easier to pay. There is no need to carry bills with you, as everything is in one card.
Despite this, the card can be dangerous for the user, because if used and stored improperly, it is possible that all the savings on the card can end up in the hands of a fraudster. Also, this storage system is notable for the fact that the card can be lost or forgotten altogether. These are the disadvantages of using it.
The card has its own specific rules for use, which are quite simple and understandable to everyone. If you stick to them and make no mistakes, you can avoid many technical and subsequently financial problems – says interview Кирилла Юровского. What mistakes do bank card holders make every day?
1. Keep the PIN close to the card
Many bank card users, even after years of use, can’t remember the four-digit code, which is the password to the storage system. This can play into the bad side, as the user will not be able to enter the pin code when needed to pay for a purchase.
Despite this, many find a way out and write the pin code directly on the hand, on the card itself or in the wallet. This should not be done categorically! If the safety of funds on the card is in the hands of the user, this should be avoided. The wallet can be forgotten, then the person who found it will simply learn all the data from the system.
If the card is lost, and it has a pin code, then this is doubly scary, because the fraudster can immediately withdraw all the savings on the user’s card. You can’t keep the pin code next to the card. The only place to store it is in the head. You can also use a more hidden storage location net worth.
Note! If you can’t remember the password by any means, you can put it in the notes on your phone or use a simple way to remember it – put the code from the card on the pin code of your phone. Many users remember dates or other important notations this way. The device is used several times a day, so you can quickly remember the code.
2. Sharing information about the map with everyone
Scammers first enter a close circle of the user, “rub” into the trust, and then swindle confidential card information. This is set up by a random transfer. The scammer asks to transfer the money, but also points out the importance of showing the CVC code, which is necessary to confirm many online purchases.
If the user has provided the card number and code, he may become the sponsor of the purchase or simply be left without funds. You can’t give out card information to other people, even if it’s a bank employee – also a known fraud scheme. An employee of a bank knows the code of a card through the database, that’s why if a user receives a call from the bank with a request to confirm the code, he should hang up – the fraudsters are calling.
- do not close old accounts
If the old card is no longer needed, many people don’t bother to close it at the bank. In fact, this is in vain. The bank may randomly even reissue the card without the cardholder’s request, thereby starting a service charge. If the user does not pay it back, he will be sued. It is necessary to close all old accounts to avoid getting into trouble in such situations.
4. Helping strangers
Help is good, especially when it’s someone you know or someone close to you. But it should only be done after the situation has been thoroughly handled. If a user has accepted a friend’s help in social networks with the pretext of a difficult situation and an urgent need for money, without calling him personally, you can kiss your money goodbye, because it’s a known scam.
Scammers hack into pages and under the pretext of relatives asking to transfer money to the card. After all these funds simply go into the pocket of the scammer. If such a situation has happened, you should first call a relative, and then transfer the funds.
5. Giving your phone number to strangers
Your phone number is also tied to your bank account, which receives various notifications of purchases and other activity with the card. If another person has access to the phone number, the bank account is also available.
The scammer may not overcome the barrier of a smartphone at all. He can simply take out the SIM card and then insert it into his own. You shouldn’t throw your phone or give it to anyone for nothing. It could be an intruder.
The most important thing in owning a card is to keep it safe and private. It’s also worth remembering that the account holds savings that could end up in the hands of others in an instant.
Tips to protect yourself from fraud
- Follow basic security rules. Do not keep the PIN-code near the card, do not keep the card account data and card details in the form of a photo on your smartphone. Don’t carry your card with your phone, as the risk of theft from your account increases considerably in this case. For example, third parties can read push- and SMS messages from the bank to confirm operations even when the smartphone screen is blocked. It should be remembered that the ideal prey for a crook is just the combination of a phone-card.
- Don’t rush to transfer money when you receive a message from a relative or friend asking for help. As you know, messengers and social networks can be hacked, and the cell phone can be lost or stolen. In this case, it is necessary to contact the friend personally or by phone to clarify the reliability of this information.
- If you receive a call from the alleged bank representatives or law enforcement officers, never give them the bank card details (three-digit CVV code, expiration date, number, owner’s name) and other confidential information (codes from push and SMS messages, etc.).
- Don’t rush to make a transfer from the card account in exchange for cash at the request of a third party. If you do so, there is a great risk of loosing money or becoming involved in a criminal case (financing of criminal activity). It should be understood that a stranger can solve the issue on his/her own – go to a bank branch or payment system office, where cash can be transferred to the recipient.
- Do not hurry and do not fuss when using an ATM. For example, if you enter the PIN-code incorrectly, you can block the card. In addition, in a hurry you may not pay attention to the presence of foreign objects on the self-service terminal (skimmer on the keyboard, etc.). It is recommended to use the devices located in the bank branches in well-lit places with video surveillance. It is necessary to cover the compartment for cash withdrawal and the keypad, as well as not to withdraw large sums in the presence of unauthorized persons.
- Carefully read the terms of use of your card. Many banks charge an annual service fee and impose limits on free transactions. As a rule, transfers between own accounts and clients within one bank are free, but only up to a certain amount during the settlement period. Fees may be charged for transfers to cards of other banks and through ATMs, terminals, and cash registers. Credit cards are almost always charged for cash withdrawals and money transfers to other people.
- If you find another person’s bank card, don’t keep it. Do not try to withdraw money from it or pay for purchases. This is considered theft from the bank account, and using someone else’s card is a criminal offence.
So, a serious and responsible attitude to your bank card will make it convenient buxic and profitable to use it. At the same time observing simple rules of financial security will exclude risks of funds theft from your card account.
