With the technological advancement of the society and world as a whole, there are a new set of risks that come as a result of using technology in our daily lives. Therefore, extra caution must be taken with matters such as shopping using the credit cards. Since we no longer use currency to make payments but plastic cards and binary numbers, it poses a threat to the security of our accounts. It becomes easier for robbery or scam to be executed whenever we use our credit cards. This does not only affect online shopping but can also be found at:
- Restaurants
- Shopping Malls
- Cafés
More often than not, these frauds occur at such a time when credit card terminals have been tampered with at that time when you are making payments, in a process known as “skimming.”
All credits go to a credit card terminal manufacturer known as Ingenico, who have made a different terminal that can be used to identify skimmer as opposed to a standard terminal. As a result, we have also made a compilation of some of the tips that can help you escape the trap of scam.
1. Skimming terminals are a bit larger in dimension compared to a standard one.
You can easily differentiate them by observing the amount of space left at the bottom of your card. The standard one has a space of about one inch while the skimmers terminal is about 1 cm.
This can be further verified by noting down the width of the machine. A skimming device usually has thicker at the edges.
However, noting this without a measurement tool can be difficult to some people. But that should not be the case as simply comparing the current image, and the previous one gives the idea of the difference in sizes.
2. Usually, when skimmers are inserted into the slot, they block the highlighting mechanism that is at the terminal. If you realize that it is dimming, then be on the alert. It can show a sign of skimmer.
Many terminals come with a functionality of lighting up the buttons. You should take this if you have never had it before.
A similar scenario happens with the green light that is usually on the top of the device. If it is off, then the only possibility is that it is being blocked by a skimmer.
This is how a normal card should be placed, and a well-functioning green LED light. This usually comes on as the terminal scans the card. If not so, then skimming should be suspected.
3. Many operation errors when performing transactions are clear indications of skimming. Skimmers are known to have an impact on the functionality of the magnetic strip resulting in reducing the operation rate of the terminal.
4. Check if there is a stylus attached. Terminals that have skimmers do not permit the attachment of the stylus. Be keen on the terminal you are using as all standard terminals will always have a stylus attached to them for signing.Even with the highlighted tips, it can still prove difficult to tell a real terminal from that of a skimmer. An alternative option is to have a separate debit card that only holds a fixed amount of money that you are likely to spend at that time.
You can also visit your bank agent to set the limited amount to spend in a day such that any transaction which exceeds the set limit will be aborted automatically.
As for advice, always handle your card by yourself when making purchases for items in stores or restaurants. It is much safer to handle all the transactions on your own.
Before leaving the store or restaurant, always check the receipt issued to make sure that the amount paid reflects the price of the item purchase. If the field is has nothing, then it is a clear indication of fraud.
Some banks offer additional policies to the credit cards. Kindly check with your bank if they are programs in place that assist in protecting their clients from fraud. They can be another way of adding protection against skimmers.
there to compromise the convenient use of credit cards. Kindly leave us your comments. If you have other ways of detecting frauds, it is welcomed. Let us know. Also, don’t forget to Liked Video US ON FACEBOOK!
