In our digital world, your personal data is at risk whether you realize it or not. Here are a few simple things you can do on the road (and at home!) to improve your odds.
- Be selective in how you pay. Many security experts simply refuse to use debit cards, viewing them as goldmines for thieves because they can get immediate cash. Yes, your bank will protect you from such fraud—but it might not catch the transaction in time to prevent a massive headache.
- Shield your PIN. Your card numbers aren’t the only thing thieves are after—what they really want is your PIN, their ticket to a quick payday. Protect yourself against shoulder-surfers and hidden cameras by shielding the key pad with your body.
- Get cash on weekdays. Need cash? Get it during the week, experts advise. While many find this surprising, it’s a fact that illegally installed skimming devices are at their worst on weekends, because thieves know ATMs are inspected regularly during the week.
- Use bank ATMs when possible. Avoid using the freestanding ATMs found on streets and in bars, restaurants, clubs, and convenience stores. Because these machines are so exposed, they are tempting targets for crooks. Bank ATMs are far more secure.
- Choose your gas pump wisely. This is another piece of advice that may surprise you, but it truly makes a difference. Researchers have mapped the locations of gas pumps involved in skimming fraud, and there is a pattern: Skimmers are more frequently found on pumps that lack security cameras. Moreover, thieves favor pumps that are close to a major highway. Opt for the pump closest to the station and the attendant.
© Good Sense Security LLC — January 2020
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