Hi-Tech Crime

Stealing your pin and squandering £££ on your credit card – the likelihood is low, but reduce the odds by keeping your details and cash safe.

Credit Card Fraud: Tips To Protect Yourself

• Treat your cards like cash – never let them out of your sight (one in five stolen credit cards are taken from cars) and never pass on PINs or passwords, ever.
• Don’t leave cards behind the bar. Someone could copy the details.
• Go through your bank statements carefully – if you spot a withdrawal or purchase that isn’t your report it to your bank.
• Rip up or shred receipts, mini statements, loan forms and cash point balances so card details can’t be stolen.
• When you go off abroad, only take the cards you’ll need.
• Have emergency contact numbers to hand to cancel lost or stolen cards.
• Never keep your PIN number with your cash card.
• If any of your cards are stolen, don’t mess around. Call to cancel them – don’t even wait until you get home.
• Be aware of cyber pranksters – they steal credit card details and data either from you or over the net, and use online.

Four Steps To Cyber Safety

1. Use A Secure Computer – It needs to have virus protection and a firewall software package installed. Avoid shopping from Internet cafes or public computers. Don’t open emails or attachments ion you don’t know where they came from – they could contain a virus. The same goes fro programmes. Log in and out of secure sessions correctly.
2. Only Shop AT Secure Web Sites – Always use a single credit card. Check that you are shopping with a reputable online store. If it’s a secure connection the beginning of the website address should change from http to https. Also, a small padlock symbol should appear on the bottom of your browser.
3. Keep your ID Your Identity – Keep PINs, passwords and personal information safe – always be wary of unsolicited email that claim to come from banks asking you to click on a link and disclose information. Your bank would never ask you to disclose your password in full or PIN.
4. Be Up To Date – Keep a record of any transactions you make online – preferably print out so you have proof of purchase.

ATM Security

Be Aware of shoulder surfers – they steal Pin numbers over your shoulder at cash machines for use later with copied cards.

So, when taking money out of cash machines, the rules are these:

• Go in daylight and use machines inside banks if you can.
• Shield the keyboard.
• Never be distracted.
• If someone crowds or watches you, cancel the transaction and move on.
• Put money and card away before leaving.

For more information on safer online shopping and credit card fraud protection, check out www.crimereduction.gov.uk and www.cardwatch.org.uk