Credit card tips: Stay Alert! 5 simple steps that can help you secure your transactions

The more we talk about credit cards the better it is. After all, it is the alternative of the traditional loans from banks. You can use credit cards anywhere. Digitization is booming and mobile apps, Point of Sale (POS) and internet banking can help in ensuring credit card transactions happen seamlessly. Remember during month-end time, when cash in pocket is limited and your spending becomes less, credit cards can come to the rescue. Even though it sounds joyful to use credit cards, there are always precautions which needs to be taken while using them as unscrupulous elements can lure customers in sharing their financial credentials. There are many ways this can happen - clicking on the wrong links can result in unauthorized transactions from credit cards; then there are emails, and messages. These are all methods used by scammers to steal a credit card user's money.

It can be frustrating, and definitely scary to come across such a situation where you  are left with nothing but loss of money. But, if practiced well beforehand, an individual can actually secure himself against credit card fraud. Take note, banks, firms and governments have taken various measures to secure your financial credentials and identity. But few errors are still left opened, which you must avoid doing at any cost. Here’s how you can! 

1.  Protect your account number:
The most basic way to get protected is by ensuring you are the only one who knows your account number. That means, you must keep your credit card private, especially while using it in public. Even while making payments, you can glance through the 12-digit number mentioned on your card. Also, ensure no one knows your credit card CVV, because even if your card number is manipulated CVV number is asked by every bank while carrying any sort of online transactions. Also, avoid sharing your card number with anyone over phone either be your family, friend or spouse. Sharing of card details via phone is safe, only if you are talking to your bank. 

Additionally, do not answer emails asking for your credit card details. Anyone can send you mail saying, there has been an error or your bank needs your card details immediately. You must know this, that your bank will never ask for such information via emails or any other medium.

Apart from this, also avoid using physical credit card statement. Remember when your ATM asks if you need receipt of the transactions, you must have come across that this piece of paper does have some information in regards to your card. 

2. Strong password:
This one practice is a must for any sort of online related services either it be social media or internet banking. A good and strong password, eliminates or minimises the terror of unauthorized transactions. For instance, if you have opted for a food delivery app or even online shopping portal, at first you will be asked to register yourself and then later add credit or debit card details for payment. In these cases, make sure your password are not related to any family name or birthdays or mobile phones, as they are easily crackable. Same goes for internet or mobile banking apps. Have a password which has two-factor authentication, or a combination of alphabets, numerics and special signs. Also, keep on updating your passwords on occasional basis. 

3. Don’t let your website have card details! 
Generally, an individual use their credit card for different transactions on their laptop or computer. What happens is, when you store your card details, the browser usually stores your details. That is why, you do not come across of adding same information next time. Not only that, even when you put an OTP, the website asks you with an option of saving it. Hence, you must always disable such autofills. 

4. Be aware of https and http:
Barely anyone notices this one extra letter in the URL while carrying out credit card transactions. That’s where users can fall into the trap of a fake website. For your information, a website beginning with https is the right and safer one, as the letter s at the end means ‘secure’. Hence, before submitting your credit card information have a look at the website link, if it has ‘https://’ or ‘http://’. If you come across the latter, then Do Not Open The Link!

5. Remain updated regarding your credit card:
This one is very common and important instructions given to every individual using a credit card. But sadly, very few follow it. With the daily busy schedule, one rarely reviews bank account statements. Because of ignorance, we miss out on potential unauthorized transactions and later are left with the burden of repayment. It needs to be noted that, banks allow a certain period for filing a complaint against unauthorized transactions, if that missed, well you can say goodbye to your money. 

Hence, always know what’s happening your credit card statement. Review the dates, when the transaction took place. 

Thereby, don’t let your credit card be an open invitation for any kind of fraud. As goes the saying, precaution is better than cure!