Protect Yourself, Know the Scams

Using a credit card makes it even easier—however—convenience comes with risk. Learn how to protect your personal data now and throughout the year.

4 Tips to prevent fraud.

1. Never provide your credit card information or account credentials (i.e., your username and password) over the phone or online unless you initiated the contact.
2. Confirm that the website you’re visiting is properly secured by looking for the “s” in “https” at the beginning of the address. Check for a green lock and key icon at the top of your browser window (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Explorer etc.)
3. Review the sender’s name and email address before opening emails with urgent subject lines like, “Hurry, your account has been hacked,” or “There’s been a problem with your recent order.” Scammers know people don’t pay much attention when sorting their inboxes, so they’ll often create accounts with authentic-looking sender names and addresses to trick you into opening fake emails. Take the time to look for use of extra and special characters like “vv” for w, lower case “L” for upper case “i”, “O” for zero, and so forth.
4. Look for unusual attachments on the checkout machines in stores or while using the ATM. Online videos (which can be viewed on sites such as YouTube) can help you identify these unlawful devices. If you suspect someone is trying to scam you by pretending to be from North Side Bank & Trust Co., please call us immediately at 513-542-7800 or via our contact us page.

Top 3 credit card scams

1. Phishing
   Scammers recreate legitimate websites to trick you into sharing your credit card number, expiration date, and CVV number. Another popular phishing technique is to send authentic–looking emails with malicious links. Clicking on just one bad link can infect your entire computer.
2. Vishing (Voice Phishing)
   Fraudsters often call pretending to be a representative from your bank or credit card company to get your confidential information. The phone number they use will seem trustworthy at first glance, but it doesn’t work when you try to call back.
3. Skimming
   Illegal cameras in ATMs and card readers installed at gas pumps or in checkout machines in legitimate stores enable thieves to electronically copy and duplicate your credit card.