JOHANNESBURG - It was recently confirmed by ACI Universal’s Global Consumer Card Fraud report that a third, or 33%, of South Africans have been victims of card fraud.
Here are some tips on how you can keep yourself and your bank account protected from card fraud:
- Review your account statements on a timely basis; query disputed transactions with your Bank immediately.
- When shopping online, only place orders with your card on a secure website.
- Do not send e-mails that quote your card number and expiry date.
- Ensure that you get your own card back after every purchase.
- Never write down your PIN or disclose it to anyone.
- Report lost and stolen cards immediately.
- Destroy your credit card receipts before discarding them.
- Never let the card out of your sight when making payments.
- Sign your card on the signature panel as soon as you receive it to stop anyone else from taking ownership or trying to use it.
- Your credit card is not transferable. Only the person whose name appears on the front of the card is authorised to use it. This is the same with your debit cards, even though they don’t contain your name on the front of the card.
Although it's unnecessary to change banks after being affected by card fraud, it's always helpful to compare the different accounts available at each bank.