When we spend a lot on Christmas shopping and parties, it will put a strain on our bank accounts and credit cards. It is thought that over the holidays, people in the UK will spend a total of GBP32 billion on plastic alone.
Online stores are expecting to make more money than ever before, and ATMs will be working extra hard as people take out cash. But the big spending will give fraudsters a lot of chances to steal. Most of us are focused on having fun during the holidays, but for thieves, this is a great time to make some extra cash.
The good news is that fraud has gone down since CHIP and PIN technology was put into use. It went down to GBP209 million in the first half of this year. But that is still a lot of money, and the bad news is that credit card fraud on the Internet is getting worse.
Stay safe by playing your cards right.
When you are spending money, the most important piece of advice is to never let your credit cards or the information on them out of your sight. When paying for something, your credit card should always be in plain sight. This will make it impossible for thieves to copy or clone your credit card or debit card information.
It also means not throwing receipts out the window or leaving them in stores or restaurants. Even if you can't shred everything, you should at least try to get rid of them in a safe way.
Do not write down PINs, passwords, or login information. If they are in your wallet and it gets stolen, it gives thieves a chance to take advantage of you.
And don't answer unsolicited emails that ask for your passwords and PINs when you're online. Thieves use a method called "phishing" to do this. Don't let the net catch you.
Keep an eye on your cards in stores and online.
Don't let anyone look over your shoulder to see your PIN when you're getting cash from an ATM or paying for something in a store. Use the hand you don't need to protect your card and PIN.
When you're on the phone, only give out your account information if you called the company and know you can trust them. If they call you, they shouldn't ask for account info, so don't give it out if you weren't expecting it.
With Verified by Visa or Mastercard SecureCode, you can sign up your credit cards. Find out about these services by talking to your bank or credit card company. You can sign up online, but if you do, don't forget to keep your password safe.
Always type in the address of your bank's website when you go there. Don't follow links in emails.
And only go to sites that have a security icon. This will show up at the bottom of your browser window as a locked padlock or a key that is not broken.
If everything goes wrong,
One in three people in the UK have had their credit cards stolen, and every nine seconds, a card is stolen. So you're not alone.
If you are caught, tell your bank or building society right away. Also, tell the police right away about the theft or loss.
If you tell the police, it will be much easier to get your money back.
Don't be afraid. If someone uses your credit card before you tell the bank or building society, the most you will have to pay is GBP50. But some companies are strict, so you need to be able to show you weren't careless (which may not be as easy as it seems). That means you shouldn't give your PIN to other people and shouldn't be careless with your receipts.
What Now?
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