Tips: Credit Card Security

• Mar 13, 2012

MasterCard reminds consumers of safe credit card practices during Fraud Prevention Month.

"MasterCard cardholders should be assured that MasterCard would never call, text or email to ask for information such as credit card number, expiry date, PIN or the Card Validation Code (CVC) security code on the back of their card" says Rick Rennie, vice president, payment system integrity, MasterCard Canada. "In today's world of email, text messages and social media, consumers should be extra diligent to ensure they keep their personal information protected by taking simple precautions."

Here are some tips that can help consumers prevent fraud:

• Be skeptical of unsolicited phone calls, email, text messages, or social media messages if they request credit card data or personal information such as passwords, date of birth, social insurance number, etc.
• Examine links contained within emails or on any email attachments sent by an unknown or un-validated source no matter how harmless or familiar the title appears, instead delete the message unless you are able to confirm the sender is legitimate.
• If you followed an email link to a website (or a text message to a voice recording system) and provided card data that later seemed suspicious, contact your credit card issuer immediately so your account can be protected.
• Guard against compromise by ensuring your home computer(s) have up-to-date anti-malware, anti-spam, and firewall software installed.
• Keep close track of your credit cards, regularly review statements for unknown purchases/cash advances, and contact your issuer if you see any such unusual transactions.
• Do not share your credit card and PIN details via email or text message.
• The vast majority of merchant websites are reputable -- though you should leave a suspicious site immediately if you suspect it is not what it claims to be.