Five Places Where You Should Not Use Your Credit Card
In recent years, the number of credit card fraud cases is on the rise. The major reason behind it is the careless attitude of people in handling credit cards. In this article we share with you, some places where you should avoid using credit cards and take necessary precautions, so that you do not fall prey to frauds.
1. Non-secure online shopping sites
Shopping online does carry some risks, because there are chances of credit card fraud. It is therefore advisable not to disclose your credit card details to strangers, as there is a possibility of fraudulent transactions that may happen on your card.
What you can do:
- Check the privacy policy of the online store.
- Check for the business address and telephone number before making a purchase.
- Verify whether the online payment system is safe and secure. Look out for certification in this regard.
2. Public computers
Public computers and wireless networks are neither safe nor secure places to use credit cards; better to avoid entering your credit card information. Fraudsters are likely to steal your banking transactions details like account information, if you fail to log off properly or delete the browsing data or cookies information.
What you can do:
- Avoid using public computers, for example, those in Internet cafés.
- If you can’t avoid, always opt against storing credit card information on a website server.
3. Hotels and restaurants
Hotels and restaurants are on a higher risk of credit card fraud, especially if you are staying in a hotel and paying all your hotel bills through your credit card. Because each time you pay, you need to give the hotel authorities your credit card information and probably the credit card information may be stolen, that can be easily accessed by anyone. Therefore, make sure you don’t let your credit card go out of your sight and you keep an eye on every transaction.
What you can do:
- Use your credit card only when there is an emergency.
- Though it is difficult to carry cash, make sure you have enough money in your wallet to make small payments for small services.
- In case of suspicious restaurants, pay your bills using cash, not credit cards.
4. Suspicious swipe terminals
Businesses such as gas pumps, shopping malls, retail outlets, vendors in flea markets, etc. do provide credit card swiping devices. But these swipe terminals are quiet risky, as it is very easy for the thieves to get access to your credit card information.
What you can do:
- Avoid swiping cards at suspicious terminals.
- Think twice and check before you use it.
5. Wi-Fi hot spot in your smart phones/laptops
Wi-Fi is a wireless network used in smart phones/laptops and is considered to be unsecure and risky to credit card users. While purchasing online, you need to give away your credit card information to the provider and by doing so, anybody with the same network can access your credit card details very conveniently. Better to avoid free Wi-Fi connections at airports, hotels, internet cafés and public places.
What you can do:
- When you are using your mobile/laptop in public connection, never make online purchases or transmit personal data.
- While purchasing online, you need to be very careful with your personal and credential credit card details.
Therefore, looking at the various risks that these places carry it is better not to use credit card in these places. There is high probability of fraud/scam at these places.