Have you heard “Debit Card” or “Credit
Card”? Opppss sorry, it is so silly question. Isn’t it? Even a 5 year old child
knows about cards. A technological revolution which has changed the way we deal
with money. Now we don’t need to go to banks to withdraw cash. We pay by cards
when we visit malls, shops or petrol pumps. Online shopping, recharging mobile,
paying bills, everything can be done using cards. The card usage has increased,
so has the frauds related to the cards. Almost 90% card frauds happen due to
negligence of the card holder.
These 7 things you should keep in mind
to protect your hard-earned money from these frauds:-
1. Change
the default PIN as soon as your receive the card:
Once you receive your card for the first
time, activate it immediately, change the PIN and destroy the letter in which
old PIN is written.
Tip: Don’t use the PIN
which resembles your birthday, birth year pin code or vehicle number phone
numbers. Make it a combination of random 4 numbers. Don’t use PIN like 0000,
1111 or 1234.
2. Destroy
the CVV number of the card:
Scratch the CVV number on the back of
the card. CVV is one of the mandatory information which is required to complete
a online payment through card. Memorize it or write it down in a safe place.
3. Take
all necessary steps to keep your PIN OTP, CVV and other sensitive details a
secret:
# Memorize your PIN, and
never write it on your card or store it with your card.
# Don’t
let a cashier or anyone else enter your PIN, even if they are helping you with
the transaction.
# Don’t give your PIN over
the telephone. RBI never ask for your PIN, not even your bank.
# Block
the view of others when entering your PIN at an ATM or debit terminal.
4. Don’t
let anyone enter into the ATM cabin while you are using it:
Frankly speaking, in all steps, this
is the toughest. Specially If you are in a country like India where most of the
people don’t have enough common sense to understand that ATM usage is a very
private activity and they should not enter or look at your screen. Still I
suggest you to try to not allow anyone enter the ATM when you are using it.
5. Never
leave an incomplete transaction:
Never ever leave ATM screen unless the
“welcome screen” appears back. If ATM hangs in between the transaction then don’t
leave ATM cabin, call customer care and tell them the whole shit. I repeat “NEVER LEAVE AN INCOMPLETE TRANSACTION”.
6. Keep
the customer care number saved on the phone:
Always store your card’s customer care
numbers on your phone, so that you can inform them about any fraud or issues as
soon as they happen.
7. Don’t
expose the cash outside ATM:
While coming out from ATM, don’t
expose the cash to others. Many people come out of ATM holding the bundle of
cash without realizing that someone might be watching them. It is like inviting
the snatchers “Hey guys. See I have cash wanna grab this opportunity?” If you
want to count, then count it in the cabin and keep properly in your wallet
before leaving the ATM.
Don’t forget to review your receipt after completing the
transaction. Monitor your bank
statement regularly. If you want to use ATM at night or in a desolate place
then it is preferable to take a friend with you. (Ek or Ek Gyarah. Remember?)
Final
Words: Adopt all these habits
and share it with your friends and relatives. I am not saying these things will
make you fully protected from fraud but it will surely reduce the chances.
If you like this article and find it useful then don’t forget
to share it.