Guard your cards this Christmas
Warwickshire County Council’s Community Safety Team is reminding people to guard their cards when shopping for Christmas presents this year.
Many of us will be increasing bank or credit card use over the next few weeks in preparation for the festive season but the advice is to be careful when paying with ‘plastic’.
Whether using chip and PIN or taking money out of a cash machine, there’s a few simple tips to keep you and your money safe, according to APACS - the UK payments association:
- When making a transaction, don’t let your card or card details leave your sight
- Destroy (shred) any documents or receipts containing personal financial data when disposing of them
- Do not keep PINs, login details or passwords written down – and don’t disclose them to anyone (be wary of unsolicited emails claiming to be from the Police or your bank)
- Shield your PIN when entering it at a cash machine or in-store
- In a telephone transaction, only give your card details if you instigated the call and are familiar with the company
- Ensure your computer has up-to-date anti-virus software and firewall protection
- Access internet banking websites by typing the address in to your web browser, and not by clicking a link on an email
- Shop at secure websites – these have a ‘locked padlock’ or ‘unbroken key’ security icon in the corner of your web browser (you should also look for ‘https’ at the start of a secure web page’s address)
- If you have registered for online card protection through MasterCard SecureCode or Verified by Visa, make sure your passwords are kept safe
Cllr Richard Hobbs, Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community Protection, said: “We obviously want to see plenty of festive cheer this Christmas but we must not be complacent when paying for shopping.
“By following a few simple tips like shielding your PIN and keeping your card in sight at all times, it will go someway to ensuring a merry Christmas for all.”
If you do become a victim of card fraud however, tell your bank or building society immediately.
For more information on Community Safety, visit http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/communitysafety.