With nearly 390,00 complaints logged in 2021, credit card fraud ranked as the second most common type of identity theft in the U.S., behind fraud involving government benefits or documents, according to the FTC.
It can take many forms, including:
Advances in technology are designed to better protect consumers against credit card fraud when making purchases in person.
Though EMV cards are becoming more common in the U.S., they still have the thick black band on the back. Because of that, they can continue to act like the “magstripe” cards that people have been carrying in their wallets and purses for decades. The brainy component is the chip embedded in the card, indicated by a gold- or silver-colored foil square on the front.
When inserted into an EMV reader, the chip generates a unique, encrypted transaction code, or token. When the token reaches your financial institution, it is decrypted to verify your account and authorize the payment. Since the token changes with every transaction, a stolen token can’t be reused.
By comparison, the information on a magstripe is unchanging, meaning it’s easily cloned. In the U.K., where EMV has been in use more than a decade, the switch cut in-person credit card fraud by more than two-thirds.
Bear in mind that EMV chips are no safer than magstripes when you’re buying online or giving credit card info to someone over the phone. And for now, most gas pump card readers aren’t EMV-ready.
“Digital wallets” or “e-wallets” use the same kind of token technology as EMV cards. The difference is that instead of pulling out your card, you tap or scan your smartphone at retail checkout terminals.
Depending on the smartphone pay system, you may need to enter a PIN or scan your fingerprint to complete a transaction. With Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay, you’re assigned a substitute card number that’s unique to the phone and tethered to your credit card number.
Using your smartphone or tablet adds another layer of security, because a hacker would need to have both the device and its password.
Did you know? Azura offers a digital wallet option for all of our members. Learn more now.
It’s a good idea to check your accounts regularly. If you see charges you know you didn’t make or otherwise don’t recognize, contact the card issuer to clarify and, if necessary, dispute them. You may also want to set up a fraud alert or request a credit freeze.
If you’re buying online, make sure you’re on a secure site before you enter sensitive information. Look for the https:// or a padlock at the start of the web address.
It’s also wise to avoid accessing bank or personal finance sites using public Wi-Fi, which can are wide open to hackers.
© Copyright 2018 NerdWallet, Inc. All Rights Reserved