Many of us give out our credit or debit card details over the phone without a second thought. Whether it’s for a subscription service or a one-off purchase, it’s easy to think that it’s safe and secure. However, it’s important to be aware of the risks involved and take precautions before you give out your card details over the phone. Before you hand over your details, you should be sure that the company you’re dealing with is legitimate and trustworthy.
You should also be aware of how to spot a scam and how to protect yourself from fraud. By following these simple tips, you can protect yourself from becoming a victim of fraud and ensure your card details remain safe.
WHY GIVING OUT YOUR CARD DETAILS OVER THE PHONE CAN BE RISKY
Credit and debit card details are some of the most important pieces of personal information that we own. When you hand them over to a company, whether it’s online or over the telephone, you put yourself at risk of fraud. Credit cards have security features that can help you to prevent fraudulent activity. However, debit cards don’t have the same level of protection.
If someone gets hold of your debit card details, they can access your account and withdraw money immediately. Giving out your card details over the phone can also be risky if the company you’re dealing with isn’t legitimate. You may be provided with false information and charged for services you didn’t sign up for. Credit card providers are unlikely to reimburse you in this instance since you gave your consent to the charge.
HOW TO DETERMINE IF A COMPANY IS LEGITIMATE
The first thing you should do when someone asks for your credit or debit card details over the phone is to check the company is legitimate. If you’re signing up for a subscription or paying for a one-off purchase, you should do some research on the company before providing them with your information. This can help you to determine whether or not the company is legitimate.
If you’re unsure about a transaction, you can also ask for more information from the operator. You can ask for the name of the company, the address, or contact details so you can do some further research. You can also sign up for services like Google Alerts and Twilert, which will notify you if your card details are being used. This can help you to spot any suspicious activity and take action before you become a victim of fraud.
COMMON SCAMS TO LOOK OUT FOR
There are a number of scams that you need to be aware of when giving your card details to a company. This can include the company asking you to pay a small fee upfront. This is a common tactic used to trick you into believing that your transaction went through when it actually didn’t.
Other scams include being asked to reveal your card details over the phone. The operator may claim they need your details so they can process the transaction or confirm your billing address. If you’re unsure about providing your information, you should hang up and contact your card provider to report the call.
TIPS FOR PROTECTING YOURSELF FROM FRAUD
- Never give out your card details over the phone. Make sure the business you are paying is using a service where you can type your card details securely using your phone keypad.
- Never provide your card details if you receive a call out of the blue. If a company needs your card details, make sure they have tokenization in place. This prevents a member of staff at this business from being able to access your credit card details.
- Do not accept any charges on your card that you did not sign up for. If you notice charges on your card that you did not authorize, contact your card provider immediately and report it as fraud.
- If someone calls you and attempts to trick you into revealing your card details, end the call immediately and report it.
- If you receive a fraudulent charge on your card, report it to your card provider immediately. They will be able to review your account and assist you with the investigation.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU BECOME A VICTIM OF FRAUD
If you notice any unusual activity on your account, you should report it to your card provider immediately. If a fraudulent charge goes through, it’s important that you report it as soon as possible. This will allow your card provider to investigate the charge and review your account. If the charge is fraudulent, they will be able to remove it from your account and assist you in taking further action. It’s also important that you change your card details as soon as possible to ensure that the fraudster cannot access your account. If you have any concerns about other types of unauthorized activity, such as someone else accessing your online account, you should sign up for fraud alerts. This will notify you if someone tries to access your account and give you the opportunity to take action and protect your information.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF CARD FRAUD
Card fraud can be broken down into two categories: First-party fraud and third-party fraud.
First-party fraud occurs when the cardholder commits fraud against their own account.
Third-party fraud occurs when someone other than the account holder commits fraud against the account.
The following types of card fraud are commonly seen today:
- Account Takeover
- ATM/Debit Card Theft
- Credit Card Theft
- Commercial Card Fraud
- Data Breach
- Online Payment Fraud
- Phishing
- Skimming
- Visa Crackdown
- Vishing
HOW TO KEEP YOUR CARD DETAILS SECURE
- Never give out your card details over the phone. Only type them using your phone keypad while using a PCI-DSS level 1 compliant payment service.
- Never provide your card details if you receive a call out of the blue. If a company needs your card details, they will always follow up with a confirmation email.
- Make sure you sign up for alerts with your card provider so you are kept up to date with any suspicious activity on your account. This can help you to quickly spot any fraudulent activity and take action before it impacts your finances.
- Keep your wallet and purse secure. This can help to prevent you from becoming a victim of card skimming.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS
If you have any concerns about fraudulent activity on your account, it’s important to report it to your card provider as soon as possible. You should also sign up for fraud alerts, which can help you to stay informed about any suspicious activity and take action before it impacts your finances. If you’re not sure how to proceed, it can be helpful to talk with someone who has been through the process before. Ask a friend or family member for advice, or speak to an expert who can help you navigate the process and take action.
