News Release: Protect Your Personal Information during the Holiday Shopping Season

Fri, Dec 05, 2014

When shopping at a store:

• Cover up your PIN for your debit or credit card when you enter it. PIN codes have been compromised as a result of people watching and recording your PIN code as you enter it. Watchers are everywhere and include the store clerk, other shoppers and video surveillance. Almost everyone now has the ability to take pictures and videos with their cell phone. • Don’t let your credit or debit card out of your sight. Credit card information has been stolen by people who take your card where you can’t see it and record the information for future use.

• Be cautious of double-swiping. This technique has been used to send your card information someplace other than your bank, such as a personal computer. This technique has also been used by store clerks who double swipe debit cards to gain direct access to cash by debiting your account for a cash-back transaction.

• Be wary of personal information being collected. A store should only require a minimal amount of personal information, such as your debit or credit card, to complete a purchase. If the clerk asks you for additional information, such as your name, address, and phone number ask the clerk what the legal authority is for collecting this information. There are very few circumstances that would authorize a store to collect a driver’s licence. Information on a driver’s licence is sought after information by identity thieves and fraudsters. Providing this information to stores should be avoided unless their authority to collect this information is provided to you. Any request for a SIN should be refused.

• Be wary of stores that don’t truncate credit card numbers on a receipt or who use manual credit card machines. Ask for your receipt. Examine it to see if your credit card number is displayed. Most receipts should only show a truncated credit card number (the last four numbers). Avoid stores that use the old manual credit card machines with carbon copy receipts as these receipts show your complete credit card information. Where your complete credit card number is shown, you should find out how the store protects this personal information.

• Keep an eye out for suspicious point-of-sale terminals. Identity thieves and fraudsters have been known to switch a terminal with a fake one that allows them to directly collect the card information from the terminal. If you have any suspicions regarding the terminal, report it to the store manager.

• Report any suspicious activity to the store manager.

News Release: Protect your Personal Information during the Holiday Season