We all know that we should keep our credit cards from fraudsters, but sometimes many fall prey to hackers and scammers who get your card details and so you should stay safe from them.
The scammer firstly requires all the necessary details and for that, they can try various means which can be basic and also technologically complex means.
They try Phishing: It is a very old and effective strategy. The first contact you via phone or email and ask for your credit card details saying that they are your credit card issuer. Although you might catch them easily, it is difficult when they are really very skilled. Phone hacking has become very common but you can spot a phishing email.
Database leaks also give out details: There are certain online data breaches to get the credit card details. The breach into the database of the top companies and get the payment information of various customers from there. The scammers can use up this information to do fraud. They can also buy stolen credit cards in bulk and use them, which might also include yours.
Monitoring the inputs with Keyloggers: If you have a keylogger or any other malware on your computer that you use for shopping, the credit card information can get easily stolen. It is always best to avoid keyloggers and to save yourself from them.
NFC skimming: Built-in NFC scanning is there in credit cards. It's basically contactless and when the credit card is placed against the payment, the scammers can use these devices that are there. They make fraudulent payments by the skimmer of who passes close by to it. They realize it very late when they see odd payments in their statements.
Scammers use the credit cards:
If a scammer has a credit card, they can sell it or use it. They might be having certain ulterior motives and so they had all the details that they had stolen.
Contactless payments: Since Pins and signatures are not required to make contactless payments with cards. Although there are limits they are small. Online payments without the PIN are common in online shopping sites which are really easy.
Your card limit is the only thing that will save you. As even if they hack into your account, the spending limit of your card will not let them shop a lot. Before they are locked out for not being able to provide a pin, they can shop a bit with your card.
How to stay safe?
You can stay safe by not sharing your card information with anyone. If someone asks for your card information, you should be extra cautious. When you are sharing the information over the phone, make sure that nobody is in the hearing range.
You should keep a proper track of any kind of breaches that you might encounter. You should double-check all the payment points like the ATMs, restaurants, gas stations and others. You should have an RFID blocking wallet and keep a tab on all your records.