Follow these tips to avoid identity theft and card fraud when you're out:

  • Keep a sharp eye on the person you are paying.
  • Make sure that person isn't holding anything suspicious, like a portable skimmer, and that your card never leaves your sight. When you receive your card back, double-check that it is indeed yours and was not swapped for another.
  • Insist on privacy when entering your PIN. Watch out for "shoulder surfers."
  • Check sales receipts carefully before signing.
  • Never leave a line blank on a receipt. Draw a squiggly line through any blank spaces to prevent an unauthorized amount from being added.
  • Be sure a transaction is complete before you walk or drive away from an ATM.
  • Always take your card sales receipts or ATM transaction slips. Never leave them near the ATM or sales terminal. Save them to compare against your account statements, and shred them when no longer needed.
  • Consider using Wallet Pay with your mobile device. Cashiers can't see your card number, and the process is secure.
  • For extra security, consider using an RFID-blocking card carrier. RFID stands for Radio Frequency IDentification.
Be extremely careful with your mobile phone or any other device you use to make payments. Mobile payment services and banking apps link directly to your accounts or cards. To protect your device:
  • Always keep your phone in sight.
  • Use every available security feature.
  • Keep your device's operating system and apps updated.
  • Choose hard-to-guess PINs and passwords.
  • Always sign out when finished with a transaction.
  • Use your phone's biometric security methods, such as Touch ID or Face ID.
Whether you are running errands or just out for fun, be vigilant about payment card safety.