15 Tips About ATM and Check Card Safety

Card Safety

* Sign the back of the card is the number one tip. While this usually doesn’t work in United States, I heard that writing “CHECK ID” helps once in a while.
* Don’t choose a PIN that’s easy to guess! I always thought this tip was useless since its so obvious until a reader told me that many people she knew was actually using 1234 as their PIN (why those people told my reader is beyond me)
* On a related note, the next tip is: memorize your PIN and never share it with anyone!
* Only shop with merchants you know and trust. This is especially true online!
* Regularly review your account statements to verify transactions. With the convenience of the Internet, many people skip these account statement reviews these days. Remember that if you don’t report it, you are basically telling the bank that nothing is wrong! It’s what you inspect, not what you expect!
* Make sure online purchases are in a secured connection with encryption. To be more specific, look at the address bar at the top of the browser when you are on the screen where it asks you to put in your credit card number. You should see “https://” instead of “http://” (notice the “s”).
* Please don’t send your card information through email. Also never click on a link from an email and then give out your information.
* Remember to log off your accounts especially if you are in a public company. If logging off is not an option, at least turn the browser off. Better yet, don’t log into any accounts or give out your card information on a public terminal!

ATM Safety

* Be aware of your surroundings, especially when withdrawing funds. I make it a habit to turn the other way when the person in front of me is entering a PIN.
* If you are uncomfortable with the people around you, do not use the ATM. Even if you are in the middle of a transaction, cancel out and leave. Better safe than sorry!
* It’s a great idea to have someone go with you to the ATM after dark just in case.
* Make sure no one sees you enter the PIN
* Shield the PIN from others. Actually, shield it from the machine itself because I’ve heard that some people install cameras to look down on the PIN pad.
* Do not display money taken from the ATM. If you are withdrawing cash, put it away and do the verification later. Don’t tempt anyone to steal from you!
* Remember to report all crimes right away! The ATMs have a way to contact the operator, or you can find the phone number on your card, their website etc. The earlier you report it, the less potential damages can be done.