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What you need to know about card skimming and shoulder surfing

7y By Koketso Masuluke

Did you know fraudsters can copy your card or look over your shoulder and get hold of your info and money?

What you need to know about card skimming and shoulder surfing

What is card skimming?

While drawing money or paying with your card, a fraudster copies your info using a device in the card slot. As soon as your card passes through the device, your info is copied. Then, they watch you type your PIN number and are able to access your account with your information.

What is shoulder surfing?

This is when someone physically looks“over your shoulder” and they watch you key in your personal info like your card PIN, 3-digit validation code or account passwords. Fraudsters can quickly memorise your account details.

WalletWise Tip: Keep your card and PIN safe

  • Cover the keypad when entering your PIN at ATMs or in shops
  • Be careful and alert of what’s going on around you
  • If you get suspicious of anything, cancel the transaction and remove your card
  • Never accept help from strangers at an ATM
  • Don’t write your PIN down – others could copy it
  • Don’t use unsecured WiFi networks for banking or shopping online

card skimming

For more information, visit the WalletWise website

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