Magicians all across the globe may be amazed at how some are able to successfully gain access to ones debit card information. We work hard for our earnings and this is exactly the reason why we should learn how to protect our money, especially when it comes to swiping our debit card. Which two places are the riskiest to swipe and can leave you prone to debit card fraud? Find the answers below.

Convenience With a Price

1. Sure, it may not seem like a bad idea to use a debit card when you are gassing up and going, but the exact opposite may be the case. Why? You go to the gas station of your choosing and you stick your debit card in the payment terminal. The problem can lie in individuals who may be sitting across the street from your location; say at a coffeehouse or in their car. In some individuals’ possession is an antenna and a laptop. What occurs next is that with the help of a skimmer, all of your information can be obtained, leaving you with mounds of purchases before you even put your key in the door of your home.

Thieves also love to scam customers at gas stations because:

• It’s really easy for professional scammers to put a skimming device on and compromise debit cards;

• Thieves can use small cameras to capture footage of debit card users entering their PINs;

• Pay-at-the-pump debit offers limited security to customers;

• Once PIN information is revealed, opportunists may be able to duplicate the card’s magnetic strip and use it for “sign and swipe” Visa or MasterCard transactions.

What can I do to ensure this doesn’t happen to me? The answer is very simple. Just use cash whenever you are in need of gas. Stopping at your local ATM to withdraw cash is another option for payment. This undoubtedly will give thieves a run for their money.

2. Ah! The Internet, a place where danger continuously lurks. People like using debit cards online because it is a super convenient way to shop, without leaving the comfort of their home. They also are particularly attractive for those who don’t enjoy using credit cards. But, according to Julie McNelley, senior analyst for Aite Group, “Online is the No. 1 place where consumers should not use their debit cards.” “It’s susceptible at so many points.”

Just think, you may have malware on your computer, so it could be at a scammer’s endpoint that your data becomes compromised. In addition to the potential for hacking at many different points in a transaction, it’s nearly impossible to know who is handling your personal information. More importantly, what an individual intends to do with your specifics.

The Love/Hate Relationship

The last thing you want to do is hand your debit card information over to an unauthorized person. Yes, while it’s true that debit cards resemble credit cards, you don’t have to be taken in either scenario. Your best course of action is to be extremely careful when making purchases. And, always, always, use physical money instead of plastic, whenever possible. Happy spending!

Web Links:

http://money.msn.com/saving-money-tips/post–4-risky-places-to-swipe-your-debit-card

-Kimberly Williams