InfoSec Tip: 5 Ways to Protect Your Credit/Debit Card

Do yourself a favor. Go grab your wallet. I’ll wait for you to get back…

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Now, pull all your credit cards out. Grab your debit cards, also.

Look at them closely. Can you identify where each one of them has been used?

Have you ever used your debit card for on-line transactions?

By spreading your credit and debit card numbers out across cyberspace, you are increasing your target profile, and increasing the risk of compromise.

Speaking from experience, you don’t want those numbers to be used without your permission.

Tip: Create a plan and strategy for the use of your cards.

Here are some things you can do. You may do some other things…

1. Never use your debit card for on-line transactions.

Different banks will give differing explanations about your liability for unauthorized transactions. Minimize your footprint.

2. Have one credit card that is only used for transactions you don’t fully control.

(such as on-line transactions or paying for dinner where you give your card to the server and it’s gone for 10 minutes…)

3. Closely monitor the charges to your cards.

Use the on-line tools your card issuer gives you to see what transactions appear.

4. Don’t write your PIN on the back of the debit card, and don’t give it to your kids to use.

Believe it or not, I just noticed that a friend had done this. It’s like writing the burglar alarm code on the door of your house.

5. Don’t use credit and debit cards.

This is somewhat like using the Google Opt-Out that was reported on the Onion News Network. Radical and gets the job done, but probably not all that practical!

These cards are like the keys to your financial kingdom. Guard them!

- Dan

Tags: Credit Card, Debit Card