Essential tips to safeguard your card and avoid unauthorised charges.
With the numerous ways we can make purchases today, it's crucial to protect yourself from fraudulent card transactions. Protect your card information from scams like phishing and skimming with proactive measures outlined in this article.
Budgetly will never contact you to request card numbers, PINs, or passwords for any reason. Any request for this information should be reported to us.
Top 10 Secure Card Practices:
- Keep Your Card Safe: Treat your card like cash; report loss or theft immediately and have cards delivered to secure addresses or PO boxes where possible.
- Avoid Card Sharing: If sharing cards, limit usage and track users.
- Never Send Card Details: Do not email card numbers, even internally.
- Beware of Phishing: Ignore card detail requests from unknown sources.
- Watch for Skimmers: Check ATMs for signs of tampering; use trusted machines; cover your PIN when entering and opt to tap your card where possible.
- Use Secure Websites: Shop on reputable sites with "HTTPS" to encrypt your data.
- Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Use MFA for added security on all accounts.
- Use Strong Passwords: Create unique, strong passwords and update them every 90 days. Avoid using easily guessable passwords, such as common words, birthdays, or sequences like "123456" or "password."
- Secure Your Devices: Use antivirus software and keep devices updated.
- Be Cautious on Public Wi-Fi: Avoid using public Wi-Fi for sensitive info; consider a VPN.
What are skimmers?
Card skimmers are small electronic devices that criminals can secretly place on ATMs to steal credit card and PIN numbers. These skimmers can also be portable or used in conjunction with smartphones. The stolen information can subsequently be used for unauthorised online transactions or to create counterfeit cards.
Avoid mail theft
Opportunistic thieves often target unsecured mailboxes to pilfer envelopes containing cards. To safeguard against this, consider having your card delivered to a PO box or securing your letterbox with a key or padlock.