Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

Went to chemist this morning to buy some meds and went to pay with my HSBC credit card and it was refused saying that I had to phone the bank.

I went to see Julie at HSBC and as usual she was very helpful and helped me to phone the credit card customer service center.

It turned out that they had received a suspicious transaction and asked me if I could verify it. It was for APPLE ON LINE for $800.00 odd. I said that I knew NOTHING of this item but it was still debited to my account and Julie helped me to fax a form declaring it was not known to me.

They then said they were cancelling my card and sending me a new one.

So a week without a card!!!!

Point is I have NEVER shopped on line with this card. The only times I use it are restaurants, supermarkets and petrol station. So someone somewhere must have taken a copy somehow.

Julie asked the lady at the credit card reception if this was a common thing and they said YES.

So beware.

The best protection is to scratch off the three digit CVV2 code from the back of the card and either memorize it or write it up somewhere else. Online purchases are almost not possible without a valid CVV2 number

Second best protection is, never lose sight of your card, in this case, card details can still be copied by rather more professional ones, but at least you eliminate some threats.

None of the above ways are sure way to avoid CC theft unfortunately, just a few simple precautions to eliminate some of the threat.

K.

Last time I was in the UK, I watched a Panorama programme about credit card scams, living over here you tend to lose track of the more sophisticated scams. Some of which were new to me, and will arrive here eventually, are:

1. Cash withdrawal machines: Tiny cameras are mounted either on the machine or in a false panel which photograph the card as it is used. This was even in successful operation on busy London tube stations!

2. Gangs of (eastern European) kids who observe you withdrawing cash from a machine. They know exactly how long it takes for the cash to come out after you have finished pushing the buttons, one will distract you at precisely this point and the other will take the cash as it appears. You turn back to the machine none the wiser, and continue to wait for your cash. And wait and wait.... and then complain to the bank that nothing came out!

3. Surrepticious photographing of your card in front of you by mobile phones or other tiny devices.

I therefore think that the idea of removing the safety number from the rear of the card is an excellent suggestion and the only one which can provide any safeguard. Thanks for that tip.

PS And always shield your hand when keying in your pin, even at cash machines when nobody is looking over your shoulder.