Your ATM cards gives you easy access to your bank account information as well as makes it easy for you to access the money in your bank account. ATM cards also serve as debit cards, which you can use to buy at stores via a Point of Sale POS device or on the internet. The ease with which money can be withdrawn or items purchased using ATM cards make them an attractive target to fraudsters. So you need to be careful when using your ATM card, or your life savings could be wiped out by heartless fraudsters. Here we provide a few tips on ATM security, preventing ATM Fraud, and Identity theft, you will also find more information about ATM in this page.
One of the most popular sort after by fraudsters during Identity theft schemes is your ATM card or debit/credit card details. ATM fraud is on the increase, the more information you have the easier preventing ATM fraud becomes.
ATM makes withdrawing money easy. All you need is an ATM card and information about the PIN and you can withdraw money from any ATM machine connected to your bank. This means that anyone with your PIN and the well with all to clone or steal your ATM card can withdraw money from your account via an ATM machine. This means that the main target of fraudsters is your PIN, secure it and you will considerably reduce the chances of losing your money to ATM fraud. Here are a few tips on ATM security and ATM fraud prevention.
Your ATM card comes with a default PIN, which can easily be compromised due to handling and paper trails. Because of this you should change your ATM PIN as soon as possible. Simply slot it into an ATM machine and select change PIN.
As soon as you change your ATM PIN commit it to memory. It is safest in your brain than in any other place. Destroy all paper trails about your ATM PIN and all other confidential account access information. An ATM PIN written on paper can be found by a fraudster and used against you, so keep your ATM PIN safe in your memory.
On the internet there is a security tip that you should change your password every six months. This is not a bad tip for your account access Pin either. The longer you use an ATM Pin, the greater the chances of it being compromised. If you have any reason to believe that anyone can sign your signature, you are most likely to change it. Apply the same common sense (wisdom) for your personal identification number. Simply slot it into an ATM machine and select change PIN.
ATM cards based on magnetic strip technology are easier to clone than those based on chip and PIN. ATM cards based on Chip and PIN technology offer better security. Banks in Nigeria are now offering a migration from magnetic strip ATM cards to chip and PIN ATM cards. Change your InterSwitch or VPay ATM cards to chip and PIN if you have not done that yet.
To check whether your current ATM cards is chip and PIN, chip and PIN ATM cards have golden connectors similar to your mobile phone SIM card.
Fraudsters hang around ATM machines, hoping to steal ATM card PINs from un-suspecting consumers. They simple note the number you enter and memorise them. To prevent anyone from stealing your ATM card PIN use your hand to cover-up when entering your PIN at ATM machines.
After every transaction at an ATM machines, details of the transaction will be printed out by the ATM machine. Do not throw away this paper print-out carelessly. Some users even drop the paper on the flow or even leave for the next user. This a gold mine for identity thieves.
The best approach is to pocket the ATM print-out, and destroy is properly with a paper shredder. You can also burn it properly and flush it down your toilet.
Do not allow your wife, husband, girlfriend, boyfriend, brother, sister, anybody to use your ATM card. Do not give your ATM card to anybody to go and withdraw money for you. Do not reveal your ATM PIN to anybody. You may trust the person now, but relationships are dynamic. We all hope for the best, but your friend today can become your enemy tomorrow. Even your most trusted friends can betray you when money is involved.
If your ATM Card is missing or you suspect that you are a victim of identity theft and your banking details including your ATM PIN has been compromised, call your bank and block it as soon as possible.
Every now and again, you will receive an email or SMS purporting to be from your bank or any other person or organisation for that matter requesting you to send your ATM Pin, password or passphrase for some reason. This may claim to be from your bank, the ATM platform provider like InterSwitch, VPay, Visa, MasterCard, etc.
The e-mail will usually give you the impression that there is a problem with your ATM card and that by submitting your ATM PIN the problem will be solved. Never make the mistake of revealing your ATM PIN under any circumstances, not even to bank official.
Never fall for this scam no matter how compelling. Your ATM PIN grants access to your account, do not disclose it to anyone. Do not forget to change your ATM PIN from time to time.
Follow the tips above and you will go a long way in preventing ATM fraud and Identity theft.
Culled from : http://www.naijatechguide.com/2010/02/atm-cards-security-and-overview-of.html
One of the most popular sort after by fraudsters during Identity theft schemes is your ATM card or debit/credit card details. ATM fraud is on the increase, the more information you have the easier preventing ATM fraud becomes.
ATM Security and ATM Fraud prevention Tips
ATM makes withdrawing money easy. All you need is an ATM card and information about the PIN and you can withdraw money from any ATM machine connected to your bank. This means that anyone with your PIN and the well with all to clone or steal your ATM card can withdraw money from your account via an ATM machine. This means that the main target of fraudsters is your PIN, secure it and you will considerably reduce the chances of losing your money to ATM fraud. Here are a few tips on ATM security and ATM fraud prevention.
Change your ATM default PIN as soon as the card is issued to you
Your ATM card comes with a default PIN, which can easily be compromised due to handling and paper trails. Because of this you should change your ATM PIN as soon as possible. Simply slot it into an ATM machine and select change PIN.
The safest place for your ATM PIN is your memory/brain
As soon as you change your ATM PIN commit it to memory. It is safest in your brain than in any other place. Destroy all paper trails about your ATM PIN and all other confidential account access information. An ATM PIN written on paper can be found by a fraudster and used against you, so keep your ATM PIN safe in your memory.
Change Your ATM Pin occasionally or when you think it is compromised
On the internet there is a security tip that you should change your password every six months. This is not a bad tip for your account access Pin either. The longer you use an ATM Pin, the greater the chances of it being compromised. If you have any reason to believe that anyone can sign your signature, you are most likely to change it. Apply the same common sense (wisdom) for your personal identification number. Simply slot it into an ATM machine and select change PIN.
Change from Magnetic strip to Chip and PIN
ATM cards based on magnetic strip technology are easier to clone than those based on chip and PIN. ATM cards based on Chip and PIN technology offer better security. Banks in Nigeria are now offering a migration from magnetic strip ATM cards to chip and PIN ATM cards. Change your InterSwitch or VPay ATM cards to chip and PIN if you have not done that yet.
To check whether your current ATM cards is chip and PIN, chip and PIN ATM cards have golden connectors similar to your mobile phone SIM card.
Cover-up when entering your PIN at ATM
Fraudsters hang around ATM machines, hoping to steal ATM card PINs from un-suspecting consumers. They simple note the number you enter and memorise them. To prevent anyone from stealing your ATM card PIN use your hand to cover-up when entering your PIN at ATM machines.
Destroy ATM transaction Paper print-out properly
After every transaction at an ATM machines, details of the transaction will be printed out by the ATM machine. Do not throw away this paper print-out carelessly. Some users even drop the paper on the flow or even leave for the next user. This a gold mine for identity thieves.
The best approach is to pocket the ATM print-out, and destroy is properly with a paper shredder. You can also burn it properly and flush it down your toilet.
Do not allow authorize anybody to use your ATM card
Do not allow your wife, husband, girlfriend, boyfriend, brother, sister, anybody to use your ATM card. Do not give your ATM card to anybody to go and withdraw money for you. Do not reveal your ATM PIN to anybody. You may trust the person now, but relationships are dynamic. We all hope for the best, but your friend today can become your enemy tomorrow. Even your most trusted friends can betray you when money is involved.
Report missing ATM cards to your bank ASAP
If your ATM Card is missing or you suspect that you are a victim of identity theft and your banking details including your ATM PIN has been compromised, call your bank and block it as soon as possible.
Do not reveal your ATM Pin to anyone
Every now and again, you will receive an email or SMS purporting to be from your bank or any other person or organisation for that matter requesting you to send your ATM Pin, password or passphrase for some reason. This may claim to be from your bank, the ATM platform provider like InterSwitch, VPay, Visa, MasterCard, etc.
The e-mail will usually give you the impression that there is a problem with your ATM card and that by submitting your ATM PIN the problem will be solved. Never make the mistake of revealing your ATM PIN under any circumstances, not even to bank official.
Never fall for this scam no matter how compelling. Your ATM PIN grants access to your account, do not disclose it to anyone. Do not forget to change your ATM PIN from time to time.
Follow the tips above and you will go a long way in preventing ATM fraud and Identity theft.
Culled from : http://www.naijatechguide.com/2010/02/atm-cards-security-and-overview-of.html
on July 25, 2012 at 2:32 AM
I lost my atm on friday evening ,i got a withdrawal alert that night,another one the next morning,then another on sunday..b4 reporting on monday,my money had all gone..so,when i laid my complain in the bank on mornday morning,the bank officials said i came late to report,do they work on weekends?
Post a Comment