The Christmas season is fast approaching and that means you’ll likely be using your credit or debit card a lot more than usual.
In the months leading up to Christmas, retail sales go through the roof.
With so many people shopping, thieves and con-artists often prey on busy malls and stores this time of year in particular.
Police say limiting the use of cards as a payment method is the best way to reduce your risk.
Some other tips:
- Always cover your pin number when punching it in
- Check the pin pad to make sure it hasn’t been tampered with
- Check your bank and credit statements often for suspicious activity
- Choose your pin number based on a word not easy to guess
- Change your pin number regularly
“When we have terminals that have been switched out for skimming… it takes about six weeks for criminals to get that information off the terminal, use it and to create fraudulent cards with it,” says Staff Sergeant Kristie Verheul with the Calgary Police Economic Crimes Unit.
“If you change your pin code within that six week period it should protect yourself.”
“Even if they have the information, they’re able to steal the data, if they cannot get access to the personal information number, there’s nothing they can do with that card,” adds Rachel Jolicoeur with Interac Association.
Overall, credit and debit card fraud has gone down since chip technology was introduced.
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