Guide 2 Identity Theft - How To Protect Yourself

   
Guide 2 Identity Theft

Books

Shredders

Basic Information
 What is Identity Theft
 How It Happens
 Types of Identity Theft
 Warning Signs

Commercial Identity Theft
 Access Codes

Watch Out For
 Credit Card Risks
 Public Records
 Debit & ATM Cards
 Passports
 Spoofs & Phishing
 Stolen Checks
 Unsolicited Card Offers

Security Tips
 Credit Reporting Agencies
 If Your Identity Is Stolen
 Secure Passwords

Links
 
 














































 
Guide 2 Identity Theft   >   Debit & ATM Cards

Debit and ATM Card Risks


The identity theft risk with debit cards or ATM cards lies in their PIN number. There are three main ways an identity thief can steal your PIN and access your bank account:
  1. The first is if you leave your PIN somewhere that is accessible, in the worst case if you leave your PIN recorded somewhere with your debit card. A thief who takes your purse or wallet and gets possession of your debit card can do very little with it until he gets your PIN. With your PIN he gains full access to your bank account as if he were you.

  2. Another identity theft risk is from magnetic strip card reader or keyboard entry logging devices. Some of these are sophisticated designs, possibly using a minature camera to record your PIN. The identity thief attaches these devices on an ATM or debit card "hole in the wall" money-dispensing machine, to capture your card details.

    This is known as "skimming". Skimming devices have become an increasing risk as technology has advanced. Once your details have been captured this way, your card is usually no longer required by the criminal to access your account. They are designed to look like an official card swiping device, so if you are not on the look-out, it is quite possible to not realize one has been installed. If you have any suspicions, the best thing to do is not to use the machine, and contact the bank as soon as possible.

    A similar skimming technique is possible at a point-of-sale, but any extra card swiping is not easy to conceal, and this form of theft is rare. Again, your best protection is being alert to what is happening to your card if it ever leaves your possession.

  3. One of the greatest debit card risks is when using your debit card in a crowded place, particularly a bar or restaurant. Being overheard or watched when giving any identity details is always risky, but when people are crowded around an ATM machine when you enter your PIN number it is obviously a dangerous situation. "Shoulder surfing" to watch what PIN you enter in these situations is a well-known category of professional identity theft. Many other less obvious situations are also risky. Even when you are sure the person you are dealing with is honest, can you always be sure that everybody watching and listening nearby is too?

    Being alert and conscious of the risk is a state of mind, and it is your strongest defense.

    Remember that getting your debit card's PIN number is usually the criminal's prelude to the theft of your card so it can be used. Allowing a criminal to overhear or observe your PIN can therefore lead on to your physical danger in the form of a mugging later in your evening out in order to get your card.
The key to successfully protecting your debit card identity is keeping your PIN number secure:
  • If you think someone has obtained your PIN but you still have your card, you can contact your bank and arrange to change your PIN number.

  • If your card has lost or stolen, you need to act promptly to cancel it and arrange to have a new one issued, with a fresh PIN. Do not use your old PIN.

 
       
Links
 Anti Spam Downloads
 Anti Spam Software
 Anti Spyware eBooks
 Anti Spyware Guide
 Anti Spyware Software
 Anti Virus Software
 Anti Virus eBooks
 Backup Downloads
 Backup Software
 Crime Prevention eBooks
 Privacy Protection Downloads
 Security Downloads
 Security eBooks


 
 
 
 

 
 
The information on this site is designed to help you understand the issues and improve your protection. No method of protection can be absolute. We recommend that you keep abreast of the ever-changing issues and do your own research to keep informed.

Copyright © 2006-2023, Answers 2000 Limited

CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON SERVICES LLC. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.
CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE,COMES FROM AMAZON EU S.à r.l. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS' AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.

Disclosure: Our company's websites' content (including this website's content) includes advertisements for our own company's websites, products, and services, and for other organization's websites, products, and services. In the case of links to other organization's websites, our company may receive a payment, (1) if you purchase products or services, or (2) if you sign-up for third party offers, after following links from this website. Unless specifically otherwise stated, information about other organization's products and services, is based on information provided by that organization, the product/service vendor, and/or publicly available information - and should not be taken to mean that we have used the product/service in question. Additionally, our company's websites contain some adverts which we are paid to display, but whose content is not selected by us, such as Google AdSense ads. For more detailed information, please see Advertising/Endorsements Disclosures

Our sites use cookies, some of which may already be set on your computer. Use of our site constitutes consent for this. For details, please see Privacy.

Click privacy for information about our company's privacy, data collection and data retention policies, and your rights.

Contact Us   Privacy   Terms of Use   Advertising/Endorsements Disclosures

In Association With Amazon.com
Answers 2000 Limited is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
In Association With Amazon.co.uk
Answers 2000 Limited is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk.
As an Amazon Associate, our company earns from qualifying purchases. Amazon, the Amazon logo, Endless, and the Endless logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.


All trademarks are property of their respective owners.
All third party content and adverts are copyright of their respective owners.