Be Secure With Your Online Shopping
Stay Alert!
Friday, December 17, 2010 by DrJBHL | Discussion: Personal Computing
Since we're getting down to the wire, I thought to add this little post about keeping your guard up.
This holiday season, your joy in giving can turn into a disaster if you're not careful!
TrendMicro has put together a slightly awkward, but still valuable reminder about how to beware and not fall prey to the Grinches and Blue Meanies who thrive off your naivete and desire to stretch your hard earned money.
Please take a minute and check out the tips in this online guide. The Doc wants no regrets this season!
And from an email I received:
Beware of credit card thieves! They're scamming every way possible (remember, these folks don't like real work).
-
Watch out for the cashier who's on the cell phone...might be snapping a pic of your card.
-
Watch out for the “switcheroo”: You give your card, but get back an old, expired card belonging to someone else. You will be charged those transactions made until you notify on loss! Be alert.
-
Typically, the thieves won't make large transactions: They don't want to set off alarms but rest assured, the “little” charges will add up very quickly!
"If you shop online, your credit card number has been entered into at least one web site. While this is unavoidable, and just about as safe as using your credit card out in the real world, the fact still remains that your number could be intercepted and used to make unauthorized purchases. One easy way around that problem is using temporary credit card numbers. While not every bank offers this service, if yours does you might want to take advantage of it. If you're making a purchase online—especially at a site you don't trust—you just generate a unique credit card number that will expire after its first use. This is also extremely helpful if you sign up for a trial and want to prevent automatic re-billing."
Please reply to this thread with any scams you've learned about.
*There have been several noteworthy additions by Members, k10w3 has noted casual 'brush by' theft of credit card info by RFID chip radiation detection and recording. You can learn more HERE.
This Community is dear to us all, and nothing makes one feel as good as protecting loved ones.
That reminds me of another duty we all have: Please remember our troops this holiday any way you can. They're spread thin all around the world putting themselves in harm's way for us.
Please give them them the love they deserve.
 |
|
Page 2 of 2 | |
|
|---|
Reply #22 Friday, December 17, 2010 1:49 PM
"Watch out for the “switcheroo”: You give your card, but get back an old, expired card belonging to someone else"
I often give my card with my wallet open and in my hand than get my card back and just stick it in and put my wallet in my pocket. The switcheroo never dawned on me but will now. Thanks for the reminders.
Glad to be of help. mate. Be sure to check out the Lifehacker article!
Credit card fraud? You're only covered from the time you notice you've been 'jacked' and notify the credit card company...up to that point, you're responsible.
Reply #23 Friday, December 17, 2010 2:02 PM
You should always check your bank account online after a day of shopping. Skimming is the hardest to detect, most likely you won't ever. To avoid the switcheroo, see with your bank if you can have a unique picture on your card. I don't know how it works in the US, but it's common here in Sweden. Then you can put pictures of your family or whatever on the card, and make it easily recognizable.
Also, don't ever let someone walk off with your card, saying the cashier is broken or the online thingymagick isn't working.
Preferably, noone should handle the cards except yourself. And cover your hand when putting in the pin code.
Reply #24 Friday, December 17, 2010 2:09 PM
Well said, Heavenfall. Swipe devices in gas stations have also been used to record and dump credit card info.
Reply #25 Friday, December 17, 2010 2:43 PM
It's more than just gas stations. Check this out: http://www.wreg.com/news/wreg-electronic-pickpocketing-story,0,5636726,full.story
Reply #26 Friday, December 17, 2010 2:54 PM
It's enough to make one blue...toothed. Disable your blue tooth when out and about.
Reply #27 Friday, December 17, 2010 3:56 PM
No, actually, that won't do anything to shield the RFID chip in your credit card (or passport). You either have to find a bank whose credit cards don't contain RFID chips, or buy a wallet or sleeve to cover the RFID chip in the card so your identity and number can't be hacked by the scanner.
Reply #28 Friday, December 17, 2010 4:05 PM
Wow...that's right. Blue tooth is another vulnerability. Looks like things are getting worse than I thought! 
Reply #29 Friday, December 17, 2010 4:34 PM
Very interesting. Something I didn't know. Thanks!
Reply #31 Friday, December 17, 2010 6:24 PM
I have a normal back account linked with a Debit Card, which I only use for internet purchases. An easy way to protect your credit online.
Did get a phone call from my bank, explaining my debit card number was on a warning list from Visa. Had to stop the card and get a new one. Even though I am careful who I shop with, somewhere down the track someone got my number. Its a good thing I only keep a small amount on my card.
Reply #32 Saturday, December 18, 2010 12:39 AM
That is a good 'stop loss' strategy, which is another part of "Preventive steps, remaining alert and limiting damage".
Please login to comment and/or vote for this skin.
Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:
- Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums and downloading skins.
- Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
- Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
- It's simple, and FREE!
|
|
Page 2 of 2 | |
|
|---|
Reply #21 Friday, December 17, 2010 1:39 PM
Pretty much every major online store has good safeguards in place when processing payments. It's much more likely that your card number will get "intercepted" because you have a keylogger you picked up from somewhere than snatched up from network traffic.
You have to remember that credit card fraud is worse for the card companies because they foot the bill, so it's in their best interest to prevent it.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Payment_Card_Industry_Data_Security_Standard
That online tip is basically worthless unless it's a really suspicious site that's trying to sell you something. They'd be better off recommending that people run several malware removal apps to make sure their systems are clean.