Do you use credit cards? Hackers all over the world are after your money!
This is what you can do to make sure your money and you are safe:
A credit card is a standout amongst the most well-known and broadly utilized budgetary items. Serving as a technique for installment, it permits its holder to buy products and services on the guarantee of paying the sum within a stipulated time. Typically issued with a revolving credit, these cards are advantageous, since they are efficient and make for snappy and hassle-free purchases. With cashless exchanges and a variety of alluring advantages like discounts and gift vouchers that accompany expanded use and convenient installments, these cards are convenient to use and easy. However, considering the ease of these transactions, these cards are also quite susceptible to misuse and fraud. There are various ways of ensuring the safety of your finances, especially as far as your credit card is concerned. Here a few tips for your perusal:
- Make sure you check before you sign the card receipt
Swiping your credit card is definitely one of the easiest ways to make a purchase. However, you should always take a minute to check the receipt before you sign and authorize the payment. Make sure that the amount printed on the receipt matches the value of the transaction. Additionally, you should also check for blank spaces on the receipt that can be subsequently filled in by the merchant. In case there is a space, you can fill it in with Rs. 0 in to prevent misuse of your receipt and to avoid receiving bills for transactions you have not made. There have been cases where the blank spaces have been filled in with random amounts that have had to be paid by the issuer.
- Avoid giving out your card information
The first step to consider in order to protect your credit card from any kind of fraud is by not revealing information about the card to anyone. While it may be necessary to give out your card number to initiate various kinds of payments, there are several details like your name on the card, validity date, and CVV number, which must not be revealed to others at all. With these details not protected from unauthorised usage, controlling unwarranted transactions could pose as quite a challenge. Imposters have often posed as company representatives and have tried to seek secure information relating to one’s credit card. It is beneficial to know all the details pertaining to one’s credit card so that imposters aren’t able to ask for sensitive information on the phone or other such media.
- Be careful with online payments
Today, many transactions are completed online. While shopping online, there are a few precautions you should keep in mind. These will go a long way in avoiding credit card fraud. Online transactions must be done through trusted and genuine payment gateways. Always choose an ‘https:/’ (secured) page over an ‘http:/’ page. Also, be sure to authorize every transaction through one time passwords (OTPs) that are sent to your registered mobile number and/or e-mail id. If you print online receipts or card statements, make sure to shred the pages to avoid misuse of your account number or other relevant details.
