As you head out on vacation, scammers will be working overtime trying to spoil your plans

posted by Ryan Dutton on Tuesday, August 31, 2021 in SHAZAM Blog

As people head out for the last long weekend of the summer, the excitement of getting away can make it easy to forget account security best practices. Scammers have plans, too, and that’s to ruin holiday plans by swindling money. Let us help by offering your accountholders a few simple but effective precautions to keep them safe.

Keeping accountholders safe benefits everyone. A little extra caution will lend itself to a more enjoyable Labor Day weekend, so please share these tips:

• If you stop at the ATM, protect your transaction.
  • Before inserting your card, pull firmly on the card reader to make sure there aren’t any overlays. Fraudsters install overlay devices on top of ATM equipment to capture your card’s magnetic stripe data. They’re usually loose and will pull off easily. If this happens, take the overlay into the institution and report what you’ve found.
  • To help keep your PIN secure, use your hand to shield your PIN entry. Fraudsters install mini cameras that look like part of the actual ATM to spy on your PIN entry. Your hand is an effective block.
  • Follow these same steps when shopping at stores and using a POS device. Don’t assume the clerk is watching the POS device. They’re busy doing their job, and fraudsters know this. Those same overlay devices can be installed on a POS terminal in a matter of seconds. Don’t hesitate to give it a tug.
• To ensure the safest shopping experience online, be sure the web address starts with https. The “s” stands for secure. Also look for a padlock icon, which is usually found in the bar at the top of the screen, next to the web address.
• Turn off the autocomplete settings in your browser so your card data and personal information aren’t being stored. While it’s very convenient, it’s not a best practice.
• Log out of your account once you’re finished using an online banking or financial app.
• Monitor your transactions and report any discrepancies. Fraud-fighting apps like SHAZAM’s Brella® alert cardholders immediately about potentially fraudulent activity, allowing them to block or unblock their own cards. If you don’t have this type of app, call the number on the back of your payment card to report any account concerns.
• Implement fraud alerts offered by your financial institution. This feature is typically accessible online. To protect your account from theft, set alerts so you’re notified when transactions are made.
• Before you travel, use your SHAZAM Brella app to set travel alerts, or if your institution doesn’t use Brella, contact your financial institution to set a travel notice on your account. Many debit and credit cards are set to decline transactions when they’re outside of your typical geographic location. While this is for your safety, valid transactions may be declined based on location.

As the use of card and mobile payments increases, protecting personal information becomes even more essential. Keep your card in a safe place and consider locking your account when it isn’t being used.

Enjoy the last of summer and the Labor Day weekend while keeping your accounts safe!

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SHAZAM, Inc. and ITS, Inc. provide this blog for general informational purposes only. Our blog may be shared by a direct link wherein the content remains as originally presented and has not been altered. SHAZAM, Inc. and ITS, Inc. assume no responsibility for errors or omissions in the contents on the blog. By using this blog, reader agrees that the information published does not constitute nor is a substitute for legal advice which should only be sought from a qualified, licensed attorney. 

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