6. Phishing or spoofing
Some fraudsters attempt to convince you to reveal personal information such as credit card details, Social Security numbers, and banking information by sending an official-looking email. Spoofing requires performing the same thing with caller ID. The number looks to be from a reputable corporation or government organization.
- Do not respond to an email or phone call with personal information.
- Find contact information from a reliable source, such as your bank’s website, and use it to confirm whether the call or email is genuine.
7. Skimming
Skimming is the theft of credit card information, usually from a tiny device, when a credit card is used at a physical place such as a gas pump or ATM.
- Use cards with chips for extra security.
- Pay inside the petrol station if possible because skimming devices are more likely to be installed at unmonitored payment locations.
- Set up email or SMS notifications to notify you when your credit cards are used to detect fraudulent behavior early. If a card is used without your permission, contact the issuer immediately.
8. Phone scams
You may be informed that you have won something or that you are at risk of getting jailed. The caller claims to require personal, banking, or credit information to authenticate your identity or know where to pay money to you.
- Don’t hand out personal information over the phone.
- Be wary of typical phone scams. The IRS, for example, does not approach taxpayers by phone (or email or social media) to request personal or financial information, nor does it call with threats of jail or lawsuits.
9. Looking over your shoulder
Fraudsters can learn a password simply by watching your fingers as you type it in. While shopping online in a public setting, the information on your credit card can be photographed using a smartphone. A company may leave sensitive data exposed to the public.
- Be alert of your surroundings.
- Do not leave cards where they can be seen.
- Cover your hand when entering passwords or codes.
10. Malware
Opening an infected email attachment or visiting an infected website can install malicious software on your computer, such as a keylogger. That does exactly what it says: it logs every keystroke, providing hackers access to passwords, account numbers, and other sensitive information.
- Use caution while opening attachments or clicking on links in emails and when visiting websites.
- Use a password manager to avoid entering login information.
