One of the military failings of Germany during World War II came from common soldiers or sailors failing to guard the security code (of course, Hitler’s order to invade the Soviet Union hastened Germany’s defeat). Now we Americans need to guard our individual codes.
Debit card fraud has been accelerating. That does not mean we all must abandon the use of those cards, but we need to take precautions.
Watch out for the person who may be watching you enter you PIN code when you swipe your debit card. If the PIN pad (card reader) has been tampered with, all a crook needs is your PIN code to swipe the money out of your bank account. . . .
Here’s advice for keeping your bank account safe:
1. “Re-PIN your debit card several times a year.” Perhaps that is the least effective way to protect your money, for a crook can get into your bank account within hours of when you swiped your card at a bad PIN-pad card reader; check the next suggestion:
2. Use a credit card instead of a debit card. . . . but some people use a debit card for good reasons.
3. Keep an eye out at gas stations and at ATM’s. That includes covering the PIN pad with one hand while you enter the numbers with the other hand. That may be the best protection.
4. For after-the-fact protection, check your account information regularly, looking for any suspicious withdrawal, and notify your bank immediately when you see fraud.
5. Don’t use your debit card too often. The safest place may be your bank ATM machine, especially if it is inside the bank itself.