| All technological marvels have their | | | | try repeatedly to access your account. You |
| drawbacks and this is true of credit cards | | | | leave believing that the ATM has swallowed |
| too. One form of credit card fraud is | | | | your card. The thief turns up and takes your |
| skimming or making copies of information | | | | card and the camera. He can now withdraw |
| stored on credit cards. Every time your | | | | large amounts from your account. |
| credit card leaves your hands, it becomes | | | | |
| vulnerable to skimming. | | | | A superior technique allows you to withdraw |
| | | | cash but a camera records your PIN number |
| Skimming In Public Places | | | | while a skimmer inside the ATM reads your |
| | | | credit card. |
| Skimming usually takes place in a retail | | | | |
| store, restaurant or a shop. A dishonest | | | | How To Avoid Skimming |
| waiter or cashier may swipe your credit card | | | | |
| for payment and then swipe it again with a | | | | To reduce skimming-related risks, simply walk |
| skimmer. This is a small pager-sized device | | | | away if you find anything suspicious about |
| with a slot, which can be easily purchased | | | | the ATM. If the machine swallows your card, |
| over the Internet. It rapidly records the | | | | report it immediately. |
| information stored on the credit card's | | | | |
| magnetic strip. This information is passed | | | | Apart from these measures, always check your |
| onto thieves who paste it onto counterfeit | | | | credit card statements carefully for surprise |
| credit cards. Your money is now in their | | | | purchases. Keep low credit limits to |
| hands. The only way to prevent this is to | | | | minimize losses. Tear up all receipts, slips |
| keep a close watch on your credit card. | | | | and statements after using them, preferably |
| | | | with a shredder. Credit card companies are |
| Skimming also takes place at ATMs, especially | | | | also vigilant. They usually ring up customers |
| in less-supervised non-bank areas like malls. | | | | immediately if they find unusual purchasing |
| They are set up for skimming before your | | | | patterns. Newer technologies in credit cards |
| arrival. It could be a plastic sheet inserted | | | | and ATM machines also make skimming |
| inside the slot, which prevents the machine | | | | impossible. However, the changes are not yet |
| from reading your card. A small camera fitted | | | | universal. Till then, keep your eyes on your |
| on the ATM records your PIN number while you | | | | credit card. |