6 Riskiest Places To Swipe Your Credit Card and How To Thwart Thieves

Target, TJX — which operates T.J. Maxx and Marshall’s — and others have had notable data breaches involving cards.

Online Retailers

An online transaction can leave your credit card information exposed at multiple points. The information can be stolen by malware on your device, a middle person who intercepts the transmission or a data breach of the retailer you buy from.

How To Protect Your Credit Card

With so many potential ways your credit card information can be compromised, you can’t just eliminate the threat of credit and debit card theft. There are steps you can take to better protect your card information, though. Here they are:

• Use High-Visibility ATMs: Go to a high-traffic and highly visible machine, and preferably one that’s in a secure location (e.g., a bank) if possible.

• Check Readers at Gas Stations: When you use a credit card at a gas station, briefly check the pump’s reader to see whether it looks like it’s been tampered with. If there are any abnormal stickers, if the inspection seal reads “void” or if there are loose parts, pay inside — you’re less likely to have your card stolen if you run it at the cash register.

• Look at Other Nearby Readers: If there’s a noticeable difference between the readers on two otherwise identical ATMs or fuel pumps, one could have a skimmer attached. Find somewhere else to use your card.

• Jiggle the Reader: Before you swipe your card at a nonmonitored location like an ATM or fuel pump, give the reader a slight tug. If anything seems loose, don’t use your card there. A thief could’ve loosened something to install a camera or skimmer.

• Carry Cash With You: Keep a little cash on you, and you can use this to pay whenever using a credit card seems too risky.

• Don’t Store Card Information: Entering your card number for each purchase is a minor hassle compared to what coping with a stolen card entails.

• Use a Credit Card Instead of a Debit Card: When you do use plastic, use a credit card instead of a debit card whenever possible. Credit cards are protected under The Fair Credit Billing Act (FCBA), while debit cards are protected by the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA).

What To Do If Your Credit Card Is Skimmed

Even with the best protection, your credit and debit card information could still be stolen. If it ever is, follow these steps to address the problem.

Step 1: Notify Your Card Issuer Immediately

As soon as you suspect that your credit or debit card information might have been stolen, notify the bank or other institution that issued your card. According to the Federal Trade Commission, you have no liability if you report the incident before fraudulent charges are made.

If you report the potential theft after fraudulent charges are made, the amount you’re responsible for depends on how quickly you tell your card issuer. Most issuers have 24/7 numbers you can call as soon as you think a card’s information has been stolen.