Money laundering schemes may put credit cards at risk

Find out a few ways to make sure that your credit card and debit card information is safe.

10:27 02 June 2013

News about Liberty Reserve being shut down comes as a disappointment to many customers who say they use that service legitimately. The service is operated by taking minimal information from the user, including credit card numbers, to transfer funds. 

 

This type of service may raise questions for many people because if the business isn’t following proper procedures, customers may be at risk of having their credit card numbers misused.

 

 

There are websites that could potentially claim anything they like, take the credit card information and either sell it or charge either large amounts or small amounts which people might not notice until much later. Here are a few ways to make sure your credit card information is as safe as possible:

 

• Close browser windows - after online banking, or any type of shopping, log out of any websites completely and close your browser tab (preferably the whole window) before continuing any online activity.

 

• Don’t save - we’re used to saving everything when it concerns computers, but this is one time where you shouldn’t save. If you have the option to store your credit card or debit card information, don’t store it. It is a hassle to put your credit card number in the next time you shop but if the servers of that company are compromised, at least you’ll know your credit or debit card information is safe. 

 

• Suspicious emails - if you get any suspicious emails claiming that you need to renew anything that you didn’t initiate, don’t send the credit card information that you are requesting. 

 

• Phone calls - definitely don’t give your credit card or debit card information to someone who calls you and says they need it, even if they seem to be a familiar company. Ask for a call-back number and let them know it is your standard policy. They should understand.

 

• Websites - use reputable websites and services and for anything that asks for credit card or debit card information, you would typically see a lock somewhere in your browser window to tell you that it’s a secure site.