| tion_start --> | | | | often where it's easiest to get away with it. Be more |
| You've probably heard of credit card skimming on the | | | | vigilant in restaurants (where it's quite common for |
| news, how thieves somehow manage to get copies | | | | your card to leave your sight for a time), petrol |
| of your cards and go out on a spending spree that | | | | stations, and shops; all places where a potential |
| you only find out about when your next statement | | | | skimmer could easily take a second swipe of your |
| arrives. But what is it, and more importantly how can | | | | card. |
| you protect yourself against becoming a victim? | | | | So how can you avoid getting your credit card |
| Credit Card skimming is a process where thieves steal | | | | skimmed? Well, in short, be vigilant. In order to skim |
| your card details but not the actual plastic itself. The | | | | your card the thief has to take a second swipe on a |
| huge advantage of this is that you're not aware it's | | | | separate reader so watch what they are doing with |
| happened so they will have much more opportunity to | | | | your card when you hand it over. You should of |
| use the card before you become aware of the theft | | | | course never let the card leave your sight. |
| and report it. | | | | Another precaution is to make sure you shred your |
| So how can a thief steal your credit card without | | | | credit card receipts and statements as advances in |
| taking your plastic? It's surprisingly simple actually as all | | | | technology indicate that the information contained on |
| they need to do is take an additional swipe of your | | | | these can also be used to create a duplicate card. |
| card when making a transaction to a separate device | | | | Finally make sure your PIN number isn't easy to guess. |
| that records the details on the magnetic strip on the | | | | Don't use obvious numbers like your birthday, part of |
| back of your card. A simple video camera can record | | | | your phone number, or any number that could be |
| you entering your PIN details and they have all the | | | | easily related to you by someone who doesn't know |
| information they need to produce a duplicate card. | | | | you well. |
| Evidence suggests that skimming takes place most | | | | |