Card Skimming
As fraudsters continue to dream up new ways to steal funds from the unsuspecting public, financial institutions are continually introducing new ways to keep your money safe. The invention of chip embedded technology and tap-to-pay cards have made card information much more sophisticated, but fraudsters still rely on straightforward methods like card skimmers to exploit older technology. The moment a card is used to transfer funds, is when the information on the card is the most vulnerable. Use these tips to help protect yourself against card skimming fraud.
- Use tap-to-pay whenever possible. Contactless cards are currently among the safest forms of payment, and it’s incredibly difficult for fraudsters to crack the technology. Most skimmers target the magnetic strip (swiping) portion of the card. All Pacific Crest cards are equipped with tap-to-pay technology.
- Look closely at any device before using your card. Don’t use the device if it looks tampered with, if the reader portion fits oddly, or if the keypad buttons are hard to press. Trust your instincts and walk away if it doesn’t feel right.
- Review your account activity regularly and report transactions that you don’t recognize to your card issuer. Many debit and credit cards offer zero-liability protection for consumers if the fraud is reported in a timely fashion.
- Enable card alerts to be notified when your card is used. Pacific Crest FCU members can use the myPCFCU Card Controls mobile app to customize text or email alerts.