What you can do to help protect your credit card information from being stolenīe mindful of all the ways thieves can get your credit card numbers and be aware of when you’re vulnerable. Many large institutions-from banks to major retailers-have reported that their customers’ data has been stolen.Ģ. Data breaches are another way thieves can get your credit card number.They may be used by the waiter that you’ve given your card to pay the bill, or sneakily slipped into the credit card reader or some other automated device. Card skimmers are devices that allow thieves to capture the digital information embedded in credit cards.Do not open sensitive documents or financial websites on public networks, as hackers can use these networks to access your account numbers and passwords. Public Wi-Fi is awfully handy, but it can open you up to the possibility of fraud.Do not download anything on your computer unless you have validated or otherwise trust where it’s coming from. Thieves can embed programs on your computer that record your every keystroke, including your credit card number as you type it into an order form. Be careful what you click on or download. Spyware and malware are other risks credit card holders should be aware of.Keep an eye out for email addresses and phone numbers that are generic and that do not appear to come from your financial service provider. Most financial institutions will never ask you to send your information via email or over the phone.

If you ever get an email or phone call that asks you to submit highly sensitive information directly, it’s most likely not legitimate. Phishing emails and phone calls are a common tactic used to attempt to access someone’s sensitive personal and financial information, such as credit card and social security numbers.Thieves can access information from your paper statements such as the last four digits of your account number, your full name and address, as well as transaction information. Mail and trash are the old-fashioned hazards.How do people steal credit card numbers? Here are six well-known ways: Here’s how people steal credit card numbers, and what you can do to protect your card. Unfortunately, information technology provides potential thieves with a number of tools to use to steal your credit card numbers. Having your credit card number stolen can be a disturbing experience. If your card information is stolen, alert your credit card issuer immediately. Keep careful watch of your credit card statements, credit report, and personal information so you can act quickly if you see any suspicious activity. There are several ways people steal credit card numbers, including through your mail, email, public Wi-Fi networks, and data breaches.

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