Who doesn’t like great works of art? When it comes to the work of a con artist however, we’re not fans at all.
Unfortunately, it seems that as soon as we learn how to properly thwart the most popular credit card scams – such as the IRS or Nigerian prince scams – the thieves get savvier with their strategies. And sadly, even the most watchful credit cardholder can still fall victim to theft.
Here’s some important information regarding credit card scams that PCS Debt Relief wants you to be aware of:
Popular Scams
Sadly, there seems to be no shortage of scams despite the security measures credit card companies take to ensure their customers’ privacy. The following are some of the most common credit card scams to look out for:
- Skimming: While you’re at the gas pump, you might not notice the skimmer device that was placed over the card reader. In fact, it’s possible for retailers, servers, or anyone else responsible for swiping your credit card to steal your information without you even realizing it, thanks to the help of a credit card skimmer.
- The Promise of Free Wifi: Who doesn’t love free things, especially Wifi? If it means not having to use your own data, the promise of free Wifi can be tempting, even if you’re not entirely sure about the source. Credit card thieves behind this scam may set up a ‘free’ Wifi hotspot that allows users to access it easily, no password required. However, this will allow the scammers to monitor your online activity and capture your private data. For example, if you purchase something online and enter your credit card information, it will be accessible to the scammer who set up the free Wifi hotspot.
- Faux Phone Call: You’re probably already familiar with the IRS phone scam (note: the IRS will never call you regarding financial matters; they’ll correspond with you via snail mail), but there’s a wealth of other opportunities for scammers to steal your information. They may call you while pretending to be a representative from your bank or credit card company, trying to solicit information (like your PIN) from you.
- Front Desk Scam: While you’re staying at a hotel, you might be surprised when the staff at the front desk calls your room. They say that there is an issue with your reservation; could you please verify your credit card information? It’s an easy scam and incredibly detrimental for your finances.
Protect Yourself
It’s unlikely that there will be a decline in credit card scams anytime soon but in the meantime, there are ways you can safeguard yourself and your hard-earned money from thieves. Here are a few tips:
- Know that your credit card company will not ask you to update any personal information via email. Many people have been conned because they shared their financial information through the Internet.
- Be careful about what links you click on when you’re surfing the Internet. Even if a web link seems legitimate, it could be a scam site. You can always rely on the official webpage of your credit card company for the real deal.
- Hang up the phone right away if you get any automated calls from companies claiming to help reduce your debt, interest rate, or redeem a cash prize.
- Don’t trust just anyone on the phone, even if the person on the other end claims to be from your bank or credit card company. Call your bank or credit card company first to make sure that you’re not potentially giving out your information to the wrong person. Look on the back of your credit card to make sure the number matches the one that called you.
- Regularly check your account activity online. If something looks off, there’s a chance your credit card information may have been stolen.
- If you enter a PIN number into a machine in a public area, cover the keypad with one hand to make sure wandering eyes aren’t memorizing your private information.
- Keep a lookout for card readers at ATMs that appear to have been meddled with. It may be that someone placed a skimming device to capture your credit card information.
At PCS, our programs are tailored to the client’s specific financial needs. What sets us apart from our competitors is that clients see relief, before any payment is received. Our NO UP-FRONT FEE policy ensures our client’s a 100% satisfaction guarantee. We also do not charge any monthly fees or any cancellation fees. We want the client to feel comfortable during the whole process that’s why we allow them to be part of it every step of the way.
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