Yesterday and today I noticed two threads complaining about possible scams/fraud on their ATM debit/credit cards. See the following threads: https://www.nairaland.com/2984112/how-lost-over-20000-through and https://www.nairaland.com/2984600/urgent-scammed

I thought I should drop some tips that may help minimize possible scams/fraud on our ATM cards:

1: Keep your ATM Cards always in your possession: The first thing that could criminals access to your card, is if they have possession of it. Never lose sight of your card. If your card is not where you are used to keeping it, alarm bells should begin to ring. If you are in doubt, see number 7 below.

2: Use your Card at a credible POS: Avoid using your ATM cards at filling stations, Some hotels, Cafes. Basically, places where the POS could be compromised. I was in Abuja the other day. I did a transaction and the guy asked me to pay with a POS. As my bank was not far away, I told him to wait. I took a cab to my nearest bank. Withdrew the money and brought it to him. The guy laughed and told me na wa o. Morale of the story is that, do not expose your card to transactions that could lead to fraud/Scam

3: MasterCard Secure/Verified by Visa: If you transact frequently online, possibility of your card details getting into the wrong hands is high. There are measures designed to minimize fraudulent transactions online. Please go to your bank and register. If you have A master card enroll in the MasterCard secure code. If you use Visa, enroll in Verified by Visa. No one would be able to carry out online transactions unless they can bypass these security measures.

4: Use ATMS inside bank premises: It has been shown that, criminals have the ability to change the keyboard and the ATM card slots on ATM machines. The goal is to skim any card data that is used in those machines. To avoid possibilities of your card

5: Password Protection: Most cards are password protected anyway. But this is not enough. A thief could simply use some techniques like cameras, giraffe spying to see your password. Always make sure that when keying in password, ensure that you shield the keys as much as possible. Someone could be spying. Even the person on the counter could try to spy.

6: Never Give your Card to Anyone to Swipe/ Let your Card out of your In a Public Place: If you pay by POS in Restaurant, Hotel, etc, always pay attention to what is going on. If the person collects your card and attempts to swipe himself, I will advice you not to give. Even so, when they take the card and vanish out of sight. Your card details could be skimmed.

If you suspect your card has been compromised, Take the following steps to minimize risks:

7: Immediately Report fictitious/suspicious debits on your card: Do not wait to confirm whether it is a bank error. Your ability to recover your money depends on how quickly you submit a report

8: Block your Card Immediately: If you see any suspicious/unknown transactions, the first reaction would be to have your card blocked immediately. There is no reason to wait for your bank to confirm whether it is real or network error. The more you wait, the more the possibilities of losing your money. See one of the posts referenced above.

9: Check your Bank Statement: If you have access to online banking facilities, immediately log in to check and cross check your debit alerts. This could help throw some light on the situation

10: Make a Police Report: Proceed to make a police report. Explain clearly what happened. Provide a much details as possible to enable the police undertake investigation

11: Be Always Vigilant: You are your own bank with your ATM cards. Don't be Complacent!

12: Please Add yours: Share and pass on the message. Could help someone in this dry season.

PS: If you buy online, make sure the website is encrypted with the little padlock. It is another security measure aimed at securing data.

Nice one. How does one go about the point 3? For this of us that carry out online transactions. I won't mind paying a little extra to keep my cards extra secured.

If you have A master card enroll in the MasterCard secure code. If you use Visa, enroll in Verified by Visa

dominique:
Nice one. How does one go about the point 3? For this of us that carry out online transactions. I won't mind paying a little extra to keep my cards extra secured.

Thanks. Every bank is enrolled in both the MasterCard secure and verified by visa. And it is 100 percent free. What bank do you use? It might be possible to register online. I could drop the links here on the forum.

Insightz:


Thanks. Every bank is enrolled in both the MasterCard secure and verified by visa. And it is 100 percent free. What bank do you use? It might be possible to register online. I could drop the links here on the forum.

I use GTB

dominique:


I use GTB

For GTB, I think you can activate online using online banking platform. From what I just read, you need to have a hard token issued by GTB to able to register for the secure code. Do you have hard token? the small little machine that is like a calculator?



It generates random pass code for every transaction you make. If you have the token, you can activate it using your online banking.

Or Just step into the bank on Monday and apply for the hard token. It is worth it

Insightz:


For GTB, I think you can activate online using online banking platform. From what I just read, you need to have a hard token issued by GTB to able to register for the secure code. Do you have hard token? the small little machine that is like a calculator?



It generates random pass code for every transaction you make. If you have the token, you can activate it using your online banking.

Or Just step into the bank on Monday and apply for the hard token. It is worth it

I do have a token, very helpful little tool. I will go through their site when I'm chanced to see how I can get the code. At least I'll be less weary of exposing all my card details online once I've applied extra security features. Thanks a bunch, you've been of great help.

dominique:


I do have a token, very helpful little tool. I will go through their site when I'm chanced to see how I can get the code. At least I'll be less weary of exposing all my card details online once I've applied extra security features. Thanks a bunch, you've been of great help.

glad I could be of help

Nice

Thanks for this eye opening tips

lastly... don't ever give a woman your ATM card to hold for u

don't entrust ur card with your friends!

This is very nice Op

Last shot:
Never keep your ATM card carelessly If you have an untrusted roommate.

I'll do anything to protect my ATM card. it's my second love after all.

Me and my atm card are like siamese twins

please help! my bank account is bigger than the permission of the law, but still am not satisfy.

this is the best "list" on nairaland thus far this year.

I will also add:

1. Keep your security codes secret -

Op already mentioned this, but I am repeating it again.

Forget that you love your bf/gf to "the moon and back". Don't reveal your security code to them. Yeah be strict with your ATM security codes like that.

2. Ensure that your bank card is never used by another.

Has ties with #1.

3. Ensure proper security of the equipment you use for your banking. E.g your token and the rest...

4. Check your bank account.

Know how much you have in it always. So that if "gbege" happens you be able to detect it quickly.

5. Report incidents immediately to the bank and follow instructions of the bank. (very important)

Thanks op.
Naija would have been better than this if educative topic like this everyday.

To protect your card is easy just be sure you are not on a fraudulent platform or where your card can be cloned.
Secondly you can intentionally hide your card verification code .by scrathing it out for no one to know it but you must have cram the digit your self because without it no one can use ur card on konga or jumia. A friend of mine was careless with his card and gave to is staff to make Uk visa fee payment for a client the staff copied is card details and shop on jumia goods wot N500,000 but was later aprehended by the police!

tiamiyukunle69:
Thanks for this eye opening tips

You are welcome. Lets stay informed

SIRKAY98:
To protect your card is easy just be sure you are not on a fraudulent platform or where your card can be cloned.

Exactly. Cloning is the measure problem. But we want to make sure that even if they clone it, they cant use it. Please register for MasterCard card secure or verified by visa.

What

timidapsin:
Do cards use password or PIN?

mhh, pin it is. My bad

justicejay:
Thanks

Thanks. Transact safely

I just want to say hello to all Chelsea fans.

Make use of 2 accounts. One without Debit card(no such tin as atm card). The one with debit card shud have smal amount lik 10-20k.

Are you from which Bank agent

Thanks OP

Please in a situation where by the thieves got ur atm n extract the pin frm u @ gun point wah do we do,cos we'v heard many instances of entering a wrong commercial bus n meeting the wrong pple inisde there,they collected pples atm card n pin n go to the machine to make unauthorised withdrawals hw do one quickly block such transactions frm been carried out,thanks

sidneyj:
lastly... don't ever give a woman your ATM card to hold for u

This security measure sure pass...

For Wema bank, u can decide the platform you wnt u card to work. ATM, POS, WEB,.... This can be done by either the bank's mobile banking APP or sending a short code to 33352. To stop ur card from performing ATM xtions, just send CARD ATM OFF to 33352 wit ur registered phone no, for POS, send CARD POS OFF fr web CARD WEB OFF... To switch it on again, same process just change d 'OFF' to 'ON'