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Card skimming

What you need to know

This is the illegal duplication of your bank card to clone it for use by perpetrators.

For example, your card is swiped on a card reader device that downloads your card details. These details are then used to create a duplicate card. This usually occurs when your card leaves your sight, e.g., at restaurants and petrol stations, or at a store participating in syndicate-related activities.

What can I do?

 
  • Don't let the card out of your sight when making payments.
  • Do not choose the same PIN for all of your credit, cheque or debit cards, so that if you lose one, the others will still be safe.
  • Review your account statements on a regular basis; query disputed transactions immediately.
  • Always check transaction slips for correct purchase amounts before you sign them and check them against your statement.
  • Read your card details when it is given back to you after every purchase.
  • Shred your card receipts before discarding them.

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Shoulder surfing

Watch your back

This is when someone physically observes you as you enter your financial and personal information.

Example of shoulder surfing:

Your details (personal, banking, PIN) are stolen by another individual peering or watching your keystrokes while your are at an ATM or behind your PC.

Below are guidelines to protect you when using online banking, ATM and the internet.

Guard against shoulder surfing

 

Do

  • Always be aware of the people around you when entering or accessing your personal information.
  • Shield the keypad while entering your PIN.
  • Use the reflector mirrors at ATMs to observe people who are in close proximity to you.

 

  • Where possible, when using personal devices, find an area where you can sit or stand with your back to the wall.
  • Change passwords and PINs immediately if you suspect that someon has observed you entering that information.

Don't

  • Don't continue conversations with people when you are entering/typing passwords or PINs.
  • Don't verbalise passwords or PINs.

 

  • Don't expose your card numbers as people can memorise or take photos and videos of them.
  • Avoid long queues and busy areas to reduce the number of people who have the opportunity to shoulder surf.

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What you need to know about

Lost or stolen cards

If any one of your bank cards has been lost accidentally or stolen, it is important to report this immediately.

 

What can I do?

  1. Keep your PIN secret.
  2. Don't write your PIN down anywhere.
  3. Report any lost or stolen cards immediately.

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How to manage your credit cards safely

  1. Always keep your cards in a safe place.
  2. Immediately sign a new card as soon as you get it.
  3. Never let anyone take your card away from you to process a transaction. It needs to be in your field of view at all times.
  4. Don't enter your card details on public computers or internet cafes.
  5. Register for Verified by Visa.
  6. Memorise your CVV number.

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At an ATM

Do

  • Report suspicious items or people around ATMs to the bank.
  • Familiarise yourself with the look and feel of the ATM so that you are able to identify any foreign objects attached to it.
  • Follow the instructions on the ATM screen carefully.
  • Cancel the transaction immediately if you are disturbed or distracted.
  • Change your PIN if you believe it has been compromised.

 

  • Memorise your PIN and keep it confidential, never write it down or share it with anyone, not even with your family members or a bank official.
  • Choose a PIN that will not be easily guessed. Do not use your date of birth as a PIN.
  • Cover your PIN when punching it in to prevent shoulder surfing.
  • Secure your card and your cash in your wallet, handbag or pocket before leaving the ATM.
  • Should your card be retained by an ATM, contact your bank and block your card before you leave the ATM.

Don't

  • Do not request or accept help from anyone outside the branch.
  • Never force your card into the slot as it might have been tampered with.

 

  • Don't use ATMs where the card slot, keypad or screen has been tampered with.
  • Avoid withdrawing large sums of cash.
 

Other scams

Be aware that fraudsters are notorious for using various methods to perform unauthorised transactions.

Card fraud

Prevent fraud on your bank card

Card fraud is the unauthorised use of a credit card account following the theft of the account holder's personal information. Various methods are used to perform unauthorised transactions from the account.

 
ATM fraud
 

ATM fraud

Be vigilant at all times

Examples of ATM fraud

The ATM is tampered with in an effort to place a card skimming device over the card slot, copying the card information once your card is inserted. A small camera captures the PIN. Strangers may also offer to help to get your card or PIN, or to replace it without your knowledge.

How this scam works
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FirstRand Bank Limited Guernsey Branch trading as FNB Channel Islands is regulated by The Guernsey Financial
Services Commissionand licensed under The Banking Supervision (Bailiwick of Guernsey) Law, 2020