How To Protect Your Card Information From Hackers

We all use credit cards daily. Whether we are shopping online, in person, or over the phone, credit cards are a widely accepted form of payment. With the increase in credit card use comes an increase in credit card fraud.

No one wants to be a victim of credit card fraud, but unfortunately, it’s a risk we all face when we use our cards to make purchases online or in stores. Sadly, hackers are always coming up with new ways to steal our card information, but there are some simple steps you can take to protect yourself. In this post, we’ll share some tips on how to keep your card information safe from hackers.

Keep Your Personal Information to Yourself

One of the best ways to protect your credit card information is to keep your personal information to yourself. This includes your full name, address, date of birth, social security number, and bank account number. If a website or company asks for any of this information, be wary and do your research to make sure they are legitimate.

Be Wary of Phishing Email Scams

Phishing is a type of email scam where hackers attempt to trick you into giving them your personal information. They may do this by posing as a legitimate company or financial institution and sending you an email that looks like it is from them. They may also include a link that looks legitimate but takes you to a fake website. If you receive an email that looks suspicious, do not click on any links, and do not reply with any personal information. Instead, contact the company directly to see if the email is legitimate.

Understand How Your Card Works

Before you start using your credit card, it is important to understand how it works. This includes understanding the interest rate, fees, and grace period. You should also know what type of card it is, as this will determine how you can use it and how to protect it. For example, debit cards are linked directly to your bank account and should be protected like cash. Credit cards, on the other hand, are not linked to your bank account, and typically have more fraud protection features. You might begin to or have already noticed that all you need to do is to tap your card when you check out at a retailer. This is made possible with radio frequency identification technology, commonly known as RFID.  This same technology that a point of sale system picks up on can be easily swiped by hackers as well.  So it may be wise to get an RFID wallet. These wallets are made with different material blends include metals, plastics, and leather. Such blends have RFID-blocking capabilities, thus providing built-in protection that normal wallets don’t have.

Check Your Statements Regularly

One of the best ways to catch credit card fraud early is to check your statements regularly. This way, you can spot any suspicious charges right away and report them to your credit card company. Most companies allow you to set up alerts so you will be notified immediately if there is any activity on your account.

Get Covered by Fraud Protection

Most credit card companies offer some form of fraud protection, which can help you recover any damages if your information is stolen. Fraud protection typically covers unauthorized charges made on your account and will work with you to resolve the issue. Be sure to check with your credit card company to see what type of protection they offer and what is included in their coverage.

Following these tips can help protect your credit card information from hackers. Remember that no matter how many precautions you take, there is always some risk involved in using credit cards. The best way to protect yourself is to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity right away.