The credit card scams have grown alarmingly in recent years. With the advancement of technology, criminals have perfected their tactics to carry out fraud. From the theft of personal data to creation of fraudulent websitesscammers take advantage of the trust that consumers place in the online shopping. Although credit cards provide convenience and security, they have also become an attractive target for cybercriminals.
The credit card adoption has simplified the purchasing process for many, but this ease comes with considerable risks. Many users are unaware of the vulnerabilities share sensitive informationwhich can result in significant financial losses and legal problems. Therefore, it is crucial that cardholders are aware of existing threats. They must know how to identify alarm signals and the adoption of security measures to protect themselves. Knowledge and caution are key tools to move safely in an environment where fraud is constantly increasing.
The Bank of Spain’s recommendation to avoid scams
The credit and debit card transactions They are frequent targets of scams, generating close to a million fraudulent attempts per year. The most common modalities include online purchases (77%) and physical purchases (20%), derived mainly from duplicate, stolen or lost cards.
However, users themselves can unintentionally contribute to these scams by entering their data into fake websites. This can result in the loss of the product and the misuse of banking information, which directly impacts the customers’ finances.
Although banks are required to refund money in cases of fraudulent use, there are exceptions. If a card is lost or stolen, the cardholder is responsible for the first 50 euros of unauthorized expenses until you notify the entity. For example, if 500 euros are spent, the bank will refund 450 before canceling the card.
To avoid errors, the Bank of Spain advises to carefully check the charges at the point of sale terminal and review the receipt before completing the purchase, especially with payments contactlesswhere no PIN is required for amounts less than 50 euros. Requesting a copy of the receipt is key to submitting future claims.
- Check the amount that appears on the POS screen when making a contactless payment to make sure it is correct. Saving the copy will help you control your expenses.
- Keep the purchase receipt to compare the amount charged to the card with the transaction amount. Many establishments offer the option of an electronic ticket.
- Regularly review the charges on your account to keep track of your transactions.
- Consult your bank about the possibility of receiving an SMS message every time a charge is made to your card.
Security in banking operations
The frauds related to electronic transactions They are increasingly common. One of the most frequent scams includes SMS or emails that impersonate banks, requesting sensitive information such as PINs or passwords.
These communications often appear legitimate, using techniques such as “smishing”where a deceptive text message invites users to enter their details on a fake web page. Cybercriminals use “SMS spoofing” to camouflage their true origin, complicating fraud detection. To avoid falling into these traps, it is advisable to activate notifications from the banking application and always operate through it, instead of using external links.
In addition to bank fraud, criminals also impersonate courier companies such as Correos or DHL. Messages may alert you to a pending package that requires additional payment or the data confirmation. It is crucial to pay attention to the wording and quality of the message; Official companies do not send communications with misspellings or suspicious links. If in doubt, it is always best to contact the company in question directly.
Fraud also extends to second hand platforms such as Wallapop and Vinted, where scammers invite users to leave the application’s secure environment, requesting banking details through fake links.
To protect yourself against these threats, it is essential to follow some basic advice according to the Bank of Spain: use strong and different passwords for each accountbe on the lookout for suspicious messages, and always check URLs before clicking on links. Additionally, using prepaid cards can be a good practice when making purchases online.
Finally, common sense is essential; You should never act hastily requests for personal or banking informationand it is always advisable to verify the authenticity of the communication directly with the corresponding entity.
