Card Cloning
Credit card cloning, or "skimming" as it is sometimes called, is a technique whereby someone obtains your credit card details, copies them to a fake card and starts using the credit card is. While credit card theft is not new in itself, the way information has been stolen is still unclear to many. The first step is to recruit a person willing to participate in the scheme. Bartenders, weight staff or shop assistants are often the main targets due to the major credit cards they handle.
The recruits are given a pocket-size device with a scanning slot, something that looks like a pager and can be worn on a belt. They are instructed to swipe customers' credit cards through the device. Because this process takes only a few seconds, this can be done easily and inconsistently without informing the customer or any other employee. Swiping credit cards through the device copies the information on the magnetic strip into memory. That information can later be copied into a completely fake card with a security card.
Alternatively, the information can be used to overwrite a stolen credit card that has become too hot to handle.
What increases the security of the card?
- Chip Card. So-called chip cards (or, more formally, EMV cards) are very common in Europe, but not so specific to issuers in the United States, Canada and some other regions. In addition to the magnetic stripe, such cards are equipped with a chip that provides a high level of security and is not subject to extensive schemer schemes of stealing credit card data for cloning purposes (as happened with large target retailers, As well as in many cases of ATM skimming and application other fraud schemes). Chip cards are compatible with older terminals that require "rolling" cards. MasterCard and Visa require mandatory use of the chip in bank cards by the end of 2015.
- Chip and pin. Although the chip provides a high degree of security when reading data in terminals and ATMs, there remains a need to identify the card holder. For older cards, verification is done by signing the slip, but many cashiers simply do not verify its authenticity, and signing is not so difficult. Another way to create an identity is to enter a four-digit PIN code in every case of purchase, just like an ATM. It is equally quick to sign a slip, but much safer.
- Change PIN is very simple and useful, but it is not yet a standard feature for all banks. This approach makes it possible to change the PIN set by the bank to a more memorable code. Also, in some banks if you forget your PIN, you are allowed to avoid issuing the card. But remember, you cannot use the forecast option as a pin, such as date of birth or four consecutive numbers.
- Photo on map. An incredibly simple yet effective way to prevent third parties from using the card while shopping in store, is to use the owner's photo in the card design.
- Instant notifications. Usually they come in SMS messages. This feature helps you quickly check whether a transaction has been completed. Within a few seconds after the withdrawal of funds, the cardholder receives an SMS with a detailed description of the transaction and an indication of the amount, which helps to determine if there were errors in the transaction and if the attacker had misplaced your card. not used. Timely notifications make the process of dealing with the bank very convenient.
- 3D safe. This feature enhances the security of online transactions. The technology is known under the brand of payment systems (Verified by Visa, MasterCard SecureCode, MX SafeKay, etc.), but the principle is the same: banks and payment systems confirm every transaction through you. A typical payment plan has two stages. First, you enter the credit card information on the seller's website (or on the processing center's website), and then you are sent to a special web page of your bank, where you will be given a specific password to confirm the purchase. In some cases, it is only a secondary permanent password (which is not so secure), but in more modern systems, the buyer must enter a one-time password, which is sent via SMS by the bank (it has a much higher degree Prevents the possibility of protection and phishing). We recommend taking this opportunity when using the card for online payment.
- Virtual Card. An easy way to prevent online fraud is to use a virtual card, which is available only for online shopping and is not a physical medium. It can be automatically issued through an online bank. This can be either a secondary card tied to another card, or a separate card. In the first case, the card is used to make only one purchase, then it is blocked. In the second case, the card can be controlled through an online bank, which allows you to balance security and usability. When using a virtual card, the following security measures are possible: Establish restrictions on debit funds (setting a maximum amount per day or per month or restriction), regular issuance of cards (once a month, weekly or Even daily -) (if necessary),