Tips to guard against fraud

- Ensure that your card is signed on the signature panel as soon as you receive it. - Protect your cards as if they were cash. Do not leave them unattended anywhere, such as in a car, bar, nightclub or on the beach. - Never write down your PIN - memorize it. - Ensure that you get your card back after every purchase. - If at all possible, do not let your card out of your sight. - Always check sales vouchers including purchase amount when you sign them - keep copies of sales vouchers and ATM receipts. - Never give your credit-card number over the phone, unless you are dealing with a reputable company, or you have initiated the call yourself. - Always check your billing statement, especially after a trip. Check the amounts of your purchases against your sales vouchers and receipts - specifically look for transactions which are not yours. - Be careful when giving out your credit-card number over the telephone. Ask for information in writing from the company making the offer. - If you feel pressured by a telemarketing salesperson, be suspicious. Never give out your account number unless you've decided to make a purchase. - Do not volunteer any personal information when you use your credit card, other than your ID document which may be requested. - Know who has access to your cards. If your credit card is borrowed by a family member (spouse, child, and parent), with or without your knowledge, you may be responsible for their purchase/cash withdrawal. - Never disclose your PIN to anyone. No one from a financial institution, the police, or a merchant should ask for your PIN. You are the only person who should know it. - When selecting a PIN, always avoid the obvious - your name, telephone number, or date of birth, or any combination. - When your card has become stuck inside of the ATM machine, be suspicious of anyone offering their help, even if they appear to be a bank security officer. Criminals can obtain your PIN by several means (shoulder surfing or straightforward questioning), then retrieve your jammed card from the ATM and use it to withdraw funds. -When traveling it is advisable that you only take one ATM card and memorize the PIN. (Visa International)