How to avoid debit card fraud

You may think that it will never happen to you, but criminals rely on that naïve mentality.

09:54 10 October 2013

Just like any criminal can steal the money you have on you by using physical theft methods, they can also steal the money you have on your debit card. Just because you have your finances set up in a bank account, it does not mean that thieves cannot still steal it. It is, of course, harder for them to do it, but it never hurts to remain vigilant when making physical transactions with your debit card at your local cash machine.

Here are two of the most common known and used fraud methods that ATM thieves will often want to try on you, and that you can easily avoid:

• Stealing your PIN

ATMS are now under siege. Why would you worry when you have an encrypted PIN code to use your debit card? Make no mistake, ATM thieves can bypass that code. There are many software solutions they can use to break the code and withdraw money from your account once they have stolen your debit card. Therefore, you should always be on the lookout for suspicious persons who offer to help you while using your card at the cash machine just in case anything goes wrong during the process.

• The cash machine technique

Some thieves may jam the cash machine so that your card will remain stuck in there, and, when you go out to find help, they escape the scene with your debit card. That is why, if your card gets stuck, you should always call the bank's support service immediately, without leaving the area.

If your debit card was stolen or lost, you should always immediately contact your bank and ask them to block your account, so that no transfers could be made until you find or replace it.