Shop safely in the lead up to the festive season
As we head into the busy Christmas shopping season we are encouraging our members to take some basic safety precautions when spending in stores and online. This article provides some simple tips that you can follow to protect your personal information and your money.
The Problem
There are different risks associated with shopping online and shopping in a store however they all result in the misuse of your personal information with a view to obtaining your money fraudulently.
Assistant Commissioner Neil Gaughan, National Manager of the AFP's High Tech Crime Operations said, "Common sense is the key when it comes to shopping. As a rule, it is recommended you apply common sense to any shopping activity either on or offline. Particularly at this time of the year when people are looking for a bargain, if an offer looks too good to be true, it usually is, and may be a hoax or scam."
How we help
In order to protect cardholders, member accounts are monitored to identify any suspicious or fraudulent transactions. These transactions may be detected even before you notice anything odd on your account.
When there are transactions on your card that differ considerably from any style of shopping which you have done before, we will contact you to check that it’s really you doing the shopping and may need to block your card. This is why it is so important that we have your up-to-date contact details, especially if you are travelling overseas.
However, no financial institution has the power to protect you 100% so we recommend you follow the guidelines below.
When shopping online...
DO maintain up-to-date anti-virus and firewall software that is obtained from a reputable source
Security software will help protect your computer from viruses, worms and trojans. These are malicious programs, often carried in something that looks harmless such as an email or game, but in fact can contain a program that allows an intruder to access your computer without your knowledge.
Do be very suspicious about emails from people you don’t know
Scam emails are often used to trick you into disclosing your bank account details, passwords or credit cards.
Do use secure payment methods
Secure payment methods are BPAY, Credit Card and PayPal. Avoid money transfers and direct debits where possible as these can be open to abuse.
DO guard your Internet banking passwords
Don't tell anyone your Internet banking login or password and don't keep them written down in a place that can be easily accessed by other people. Be aware that there is no reason to provide Internet banking details to anyone under any circumstances and we will never call or email you asking for this information.
DO use strong passwords and limit the amount of personal information you put online
Don't make it easy for criminals to guess your password and do not provide information to people that you don't know or don't trust.
The Australian government has created a great interactive website which we would recommend you read to obtain more important information. Visit www.staysmartonline.gov.au.
When shopping in a store...
DO make sure your card is returned by the salesperson
Make it a priority to get your card back after completing a purchase. Sometimes cards are intentionally retained by salespeople in order to later commit fraud.
DO guard your PIN
Don't tell anyone your PIN number or keep a record near your card(s). Be aware that there is no reason to provide your PIN to anyone under any circumstances. Only use the PIN for electronic transactions, don't use it for other purposes such as your video store password, which you repeat aloud to the salesperson.
DO secure your card
Make sure you know where your card is located at all times. Make sure it's secure to minimise the risk of theft. If you are expecting a card to be delivered in the mail, ensure your letterbox can be locked and that you check your letterbox regularly for the card's arrival. If your card does not arrive within a reasonable time of you ordering the card or being advised by us that a card is being sent to you, please get in touch.
DO review your card limit
You may wish to lower your credit card limit which would prevent a criminal spending more than the determined amount if the card was ever lost or stolen. You need to balance this decision with ensuring your card limit is appropriate to your spending needs.
DO be alert for suspicious activity around ATMs or EFTPOS
When entering your PIN at the ATM or EFTPOS machine, look around to see that no-one is watching. 'Shoulder Surfing' usually happens at ATMs or public phones. Criminals may watch you from a nearby location or behind you in a queue, as you key in your PIN. They may also listen in on your conversation if you give your credit card number over the phone, for example, when making a hotel reservation or booking a rental car.
Be aware if there is a group of individuals around the ATM acting suspiciously. If you see a device that doesn't look part of the normal ATM operation do not remove it. Keep a reasonable distance and telephone police. If you are suspicious for any reason, please contact us or the police and await further instruction. Do not put yourself at risk.
DON'T ever let your card out of your sight
Card skimming occurs when a fraudster skims your card through a device that records the information stored on that card. The fraudster then downloads that information onto a fake card, and will start using it as a counterfeit card. The safest way to avoid card fraud is to never let your card leave your sight.
Remember
DO always check your statements promptly
Always check your card statements promptly and reconcile them to your purchase slips. It is important that you advise us immediately of any unauthorised activity.
DO provide us with telephone contacts and travel plans
It's important we have up-to-date phone numbers on our system in case we need to contact you to discuss fraudulent activity on your account. Inform us of changes to your mobile, work or home phone numbers. Provide us with details of your travel plans before you go overseas as well as a contact phone number where our staff can reach you overseas.
DO keep a record of your credit and debit card information in a safe place
If your card is lost or stolen, the faster you are able to provide us with details of the card, the better. Emergency phone numbers to call to report the loss of a card can be found on our Contact page – keep these numbers handy.
If you would like further information concerning any of the points raised in this article, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us by phoning 9859 0585.
