Five Common Credit Card Scams

The most common scam that people fall into is credit card scams. This is a modern-day crime and looks very attractive to people that lure them into a trap, but no one wants to be in that position. There are simple and straightforward ways to avoid these scams. They can be easily alleviated by recognizing these signs, avoiding them, and reporting such activities. 

The three most essential elements to recognize such scams are education, vigilance, and healthy skepticism. 

#1 Phishing

credit card phishing
commercial illustrator

This is the most common way used by frauds. The scammer will typically put on the mask of being the most trustworthy person and present you with a problem; for example, they may tell you that there was a suspicious transaction or a threat to your account. After this, they will assure you that they will solve this problem for you. At this point, anyone would want their account and money to be safe. Now, when they have put you in this challenging position, they will ask you for details like account numbers, codes, etc. This is your first clue to recognize this as a scam. 

This kind of scam is the most dangerous since they easily get hold of all your information. Your account can be compromised if such a situation is not avoided. 

How to Avoid It

Phishing can be very easily avoided. In case someone informs you about any suspicious activity regarding your account, you must immediately contact your credit card company or bank. The first sign of a scam is when someone asks for information like your card number, passwords, usernames, etc. No one but you should know all this information regarding your card. Do not give any information regarding your credit card to anyone.

Interest Rate Scam 

Interest Rate Scam
Bank, Door, Financial Building, Market – Retail Space, Currency

This credit card scam is probably the most attractive trap for people. You get a random call, and it offers very low-interest rates on your credit card. They claim to present to the bank on your behalf to reduce the interest rates. This sounds too good to be accurate, and yes, it isn’t. It’s a scam. This is a whole set-up to get all your details. 

If you continue with such a call or offer, they will most likely ask you to fill out a form, demanding all the details like card number, name, password, etc. Again, as said above, do not provide this information to anyone. This information is exclusively meant for your purposes. 

How to Avoid It

These scams can get very complicated if you continue the whole process of falling into the trap. If you want to lower your interest rates, you should directly contact your bank or credit card company. 

When you receive such bot calls promising you such great offers, cut the call. Contact your card company to know if they are offering any such deals. Never give out any sensitive information regarding your credit card. To reduce such incoming calls, block all the spam calls and, if possible, register your number with the National Do Not Call Registry. This will prevent spam calls and suspicious callers who have been reported before. 

Charity Scam

Charity Scam
Charity scam red flat design long shadow glyph icon. Sham charity. Fake donation request. False fundraiser. Money theft. Online fraud. Cybercrime. Fraudulent scheme. Vector silhouette illustration

This kind of scam violates people’s good instincts to help others. Usually, right after any natural disaster or tragedies like floods, wildfire, hurricane, etc., these scammers start calling up or sending emotional emails requesting people to donate to charity. Such callers and emails will superficially look and sound very genuine to you, and they will also pretend to be from a reputable company. Do not let such an emotional email or call fool you. 

These calls often sound too urgent, and the caller will present you with a detailed sad story, putting you in a place where it will be hard to say no. After they have convinced you, they will show this urgent need of help where many times people give them any information they ask for, including sensitive information of your credit card. By doing this, you will not only willingly give them all your money but also your credit card information, which they can later put to use. 

How to avoid it

How to Avoid It

Donating is good not just to someone you are donating your money with but it feels good to yourself as well, and to make sure your money goes to the right place, always make sure to donate through their website. Contact the charity yourself, so you know you have contacted a legitimate party.

If you get a call or an email pleading you to donate, do not give away all the information they request. If you are willing to donate, do it the right way. Ignore and block such calls and emails. Anyone who demands any information regarding your credit card is a scam.

To confirm that the caller was a spam number or not, you can search the number on the web and put quotation marks before and after the number. The search result will show if the number has been previously identified as a scam call.

Misleading Advertisements

Misleading Advertisements
Clickbait laptop with fishing hook

Misleading advertisements appears to be everywhere. No matter what you are dealing with these advertisements will certainly has some hidden tricks under their sleeves. You’ll find them on the internet, magazines, or television. These advertisements will have a compelling offer. They will ask you to sign-up, and they guarantee you no fees, no limits, and very low-interest rates. Again, it sounds too good to be true. Through this, they can get your bank account information, which they can use to flow out your money. 

How to Avoid It

These scams are very easy to avoid. With some common sense, you will very easily recognize the scammers. Only register for a credit card at established companies. In case you have been refused by a few, it will be difficult to get a credit card so easily from other sources.

Hotspot Scam 

Free Wifi Credit Card Scam
Hacker with laptop computer stealing confidential data, personal information and credit card detail. Hacking concept.

You should be careful when using an unknown public free Wi-Fi. Usually, many people are monitoring the activities of devices connected to the Wi-Fi. Often, these networks are a scam. Once connected to a Wi-Fi scam, they can extract all your vital information. 

Your device, like your laptop or phone, will find a local Wi-Fi hotspot in this scam. Once you connect to it, they may sometimes ask for your credit card information for a free sign-up. This is the first sign of it being a scam. No Wi-Fi network demands credit card information for its connection. In other cases where you have not demanded information, they often keep track of what is happening on your device and try to extract any information they can find, which they use later in other ways. 

How to Avoid It

If you are in a public place like a café, ask any employee for the correct Wi-Fi name and password for free access. Do not give any credit card information, bank account information, or any other sensitive information, if asked while accessing the Wi-Fi.

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