5 Tips for Keeping Your Credit Card Info Safe When Holiday Shopping Online and In-Store
The holiday season is the biggest time for shopping—both online and in stores, which means it is also a time of increased security compromises and stolen credit cards. Many consumers are nervous about doing holiday shopping due to all of the security breaches last year, in which credit card information as well as personal information was hacked from physical store locations and from online systems. While we can’t always prevent security breaches and malicious hackers, there are a few things you can do to increase the security of your credit card information as you shop during the holidays. Read on for a few online and in-store shopping tips that will keep your credit card from facing any unexpected charges this season.
Get an RFID-Blocking Wallet
One popular tactic for malicious hackers during the holiday season is to sit around malls or shopping areas with their laptops. They can transmit radio waves that steal details about your credit card, which can then be used to clone credit cards to commit fraud. If you want to protect your cards from this type of hacking, you can invest in an RFID-blocking wallet that has a built-in Faraday cage to stop them. When your card is blocked, hackers can’t transmit the information when they are in the vicinity, keeping your cards and information safe.
Consider Paying in Cash or by Check
When you’re in a store that may be shady or that has had a history of credit card information being stolen, it may be more reasonable to put your credit card away temporarily. While carrying cash does present some heightened risks, checks are generally risk-free. If you are uncomfortable with having cash on you, you may opt for checks to keep your funds safer.
Keep Separate Cards
Another way to stay safe during this holiday season is to use a contingency plan that limits the funds that any person may be able to steal from one card. Using cards linked to separate accounts is one way to accomplish this. If that doesn’t work, then you may want to opt in reloadable debit cards. They’re easy purchases, and can be reloaded as you need funds. The best part is that these can limit your losses both online and offline. It also prevents security breaches, like those that happened earlier this year, from affecting you.
Only Use Sites Secured by SSL
Secure socket layer (SSL) is a technology that encrypts your sensitive data so the prying eyes of third parties cannot read it while it’s being transmitted. Only you and the party at the other end can decrypt it. When entering personal financial information online, always opt for websites with valid SSL certificates and “https://” in front of the URL.
Be Wary of Giving Your Card Out
Any time you give your card to someone whom isn’t reputable, there’s a chance that they may be stealing your credit card information. Things like giving a dollar to a charity by swiping your credit card may seem harmless, but it’s one of the easiest ways for thieves to steal your credit card information. Only donate to reputable associations that you have worked with in the past, or your information could be stolen and used against you.
To avoid unnecessary headaches, hassles and loss of money, follow the above tips when you think about using your credit card for holiday shopping. You should question everyone whom wants your credit card, and always have a fallback option if you feel uncomfortable about offering up your information. This will ensure that your holidays and credit both stay safe this year, and you don’t end up in a security breach mess that ruins your season. The information for this article was provided by the professionals at Keith G. Collins Ltd., who specialize in consolidated credit in Winnipeg.
Category: Credit Card
