Protect Yourself Against Credit Card Skimming: 4 Foolproof Ways

How many of us actually walk inside a gas station to pay at the cashier's instead of using our debit or credit cards at the pump? If you have not heard of "skimming" and are a habitual debit/credit card user, then you're at risk. These days, debit and credit card information theft doesn't just happen in online transactions. Even gas stations and ordinary restaurants can be hotspots for this type of crime.

In Washington D.C., four servers in three high-end restaurants have been arrested for skimming customers' credit cards. The servers could easily buy the skimming devices online and hide them in their aprons or pockets. This gang of credit card thieves made easy money by skimming as many credit cards as they could in one day.

Another source of this financial crime is the gas pump. You may not be aware that the device has been installed within the pump's wiring and before you know it, information about your debit card has been captured twice. It is even possible that the gas station associate is actually involved in the crime of conspiracy. It is also possible that the debit card information theft has been transmitted through a wireless connection. Thieves can hack into the retailer computer's weak spot then steal and duplicate the card.

Wherever there's a credit or debit card, there is a likelihood that someone might steal information from it. What is the best thing to do to avoid being victim?

Pay inside the store and keep your receipts. It is safer to pay at the cashier, sign the receipt of purchase, and keep it as a proof.

Always check your transactions online. The purpose of online banking is for you to be able to have access to your statements as quickly as you want. Therefore it should be habitual for you to look into your accounts and spot any inconsistencies. A debit card holder may lose her money faster if the fraud was not reported was enough. Credit card holders do have a certain protection against scammers, but there is a limit specified by their credit card providers.

Inform the authorities if you suspected a debit or credit card fraud. Some people merely call out the manager or the store owner, believing they will take action. As a matter of fact, some retailers don't even know credit card skimming is happening unless a third party surveillance has reported it to them.

Lastly, there are anti-fraud software out there that allows you to keep track of your purchases through your cellphone. Take advantage of these technology to make sure credit card thieves are not taking advantage of you! An example is Darren Stevens' My Spy Software.

Millions of dollars are being stolen from innocent victims everyday by credit card skimmers. In today's economic downturn, incidences of debit or credit card theft may even increase, so protect yourself and your well-earned money.