Credit card skimming is a crime on the rise. Simply speaking, card skimming is when someone other then you obtains your pin and your card number and then uses it to withdraw the money in you account or makes purchases with your card number and pin. These type of crimes generally rise with a bad economy. The worst part is that you can be victimized by someone in another country, and they don’t actually need to have physical possession of your card to use it.
Generally speaking there's multiple ways to get this information, although most involve literally watching you type in your pin and seeing your credit card number. Sometimes cameras are put above ATMs to spy on you will you enter the info, but most often the person is peeking over your shoulder.
Online purchases may also be the target of these thieves, however in ever case you essentially give them the information, and that's what makes it so scary. Vigilance is going to be the key here. Keep an eye on your card the entire time the transaction is going on, and keep any receipts you receive and destroy them properly.
So a few tips on how to stop yourself from being a victim:
First and foremost, get your money from a teller whenever possible. If your going to use an ATM, use only one you trust, for instance, the grubby looking one in a convenience store, may not be your best choice. Hunch over the screen, cover the key pad with your free hand, and take and destroy your receipt. Look carefully at the swiper on the ATM before sliding your card through, to ensure it’s the one that belongs on the machine and not one installed by a card skimmer.
If your going to be making a lot of purchases online or in a few stores, then you might use a "disposable" credit card you can purchase at gas stations and banks. Load those up and use those online, that way even if it gets skimmed it’s limited to the amount of money you put on the card, and they don't have access to your actual bank account.
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