How to avoid credit card fraud and protect yourself
Emerging of plastic instruments of payment in the systems of cashless accounts generated the new type of crimes. The crimes committed by means of plastic means of settlement are considered as one of the most dangerous economic crimes, as their negative impact is reflected not only in the work of the bank itself, but on other subjects of economic activity. Activities of virtual offenders are given consideration in more than 20 countries, where more than 40 proceedings have been instituted against them. While conducting the bank operations, hackers use the well-known “loops" in web-sites and software. For the buyer, the replacement of credit card after using it on an unsecured site represents an extra headache, whereas the companies risk both finances and reputation. The law envisages 50 dollar fine for a single fraudulent operation, if it is made by credit card, but the merchandising company loses the trust of buyer, and all too often the hope for further collaboration with him.
Card holders should remember that the pin-code should be kept in entirety and safety and the number should not be ever given or shown to anyone. The “plastic” itself should be kept safely. Let’s talk about the most widespread methods of fraud with cards. As it is made clear, even the simple cash withdrawal operation from ATM can end up deplorably. There are several tricks by means of which the swindlers in no time can leave you alone with “plastic” in your pocket:
All too often the swindlers use device which after having been installed at ATM helps them to get the information about the card. This can be special “attachments” installed on keyboard that in outward appearance repeat the original keys. In this case, the cardholder withdraws money from the account without any problem, but simultaneously the simulated keyboard keeps in memory all the pressed keys, naturally, including the pin-code. The advice is to carefully study the keyboard of unfamiliar ATM before withdrawing money from the account.
The second device is what Englishmen also call “Lebanese loops”. These are plastic envelopes, the size of which is slightly bigger than the size of the card. They are put into the slot of ATM. The holder of credit card tries to withdraw money, but the ATM cannot read the data from the magnetic strip. In addition, due to the envelope’s construction the card cannot be withdrawn. At this moment, the swindler appears and says that literally a day ago “the same occurred” to him and that in order to get the card back, one must simply enter the pin-code and press twice on Cancel. Cardholder tries this and, of course, he cannot get the card back. He decides that the card remained within ATM and leaves in order to contact the bank. And the swindler calmly withdraws credit card together with the envelope by means of not tricky expedient means. He already knows the pin-code – the “plastic” cardholder (now the previous cardholder) has entered it himself in the presence of the swindler. And the thief can now easily withdraw money from the account.
In order to find out the pin-code, some swindlers leave miniature video camera not afar. And they themselves sit in the nearest automobile with the notebook in the screen of which the numbers entered by the cardholder could be seen. While entering the pin-code, you should shield the keyboard with your free hand.
The expensive, but 100% true method. There are cases when swindlers place their own “ATM” in crowded places. It somehow does not function, and naturally, does not give out any money. Instead, it successfully picks off all the necessary data from the card. And then, it becomes clear that yesterday you already withdrew all the money from your account and somehow you don’t want to recall it!
It is difficult to fight with this phenomenon. Nothing here depends on one’s attentiveness, carefulness and prudence. It rarely but happens when those who can easily access your credit cards go into a huddle with swindlers. They can be bank employees, for example. This happens rarely, but no one is insured from that.
According to some data, there are approx. 30 types of illegal operations with cards via worldwide web. The most widespread of them are the payment with non existing cards, creation of false virtual shops, electronic theft, and falsified payment in gambling facilities. Even the special term - carding has appeared. It is an unauthorized use of bank cards for purchasing goods and services via internet.
Dealing with carding, one can either get information on real card, or generate all these data so that all the systems will take forgery for real. Those interested can freely find the references to the sites that openly trade with stolen cards. The standard price per card is from 40 cents to 5 dollars.
In order to overcome the growth of “plastic” crimes on the net, the payment systems offered banks and merchants the 3D-Secure technology when making settlements with plastic cards. Visa and MasterCard are actively promoting 3D-Secure throughout the world making banks, merchant and service outlets transfer into this secure technology of settlements.
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