New Delhi. Card cloning fraud is increasing rapidly in the era of digital payments. If you also withdraw money from ATM, make card payment in restaurants or do online shopping, then be careful. A small carelessness on your part can empty your bank account. Cyber thugs are now using such technology by which they copy the complete details of your card and without your knowledge make a duplicate card and steal money.
What is card cloning fraud?
Card cloning is a process in which a person’s original debit or credit card details are stolen and its duplicate (clone) card is made. With this duplicate card, fraudsters can withdraw money from ATM or do online shopping. Often this fraud occurs when the card is used on an unsecured machine or website. Cyber criminals steal data from the magnetic strip of the card by using a machine called ‘skimmer device’. Besides, they also record the PIN of your card by installing small cameras.
Where does card cloning fraud take place?
1. At the ATM Machine:
Fraudsters fit skimming devices and cameras on ATM machines. As soon as you insert your card, it records your details.
2. At a restaurant or petrol pump
When you make payment by card and give the card to an employee, they sometimes copy its details from the mobile skimmer.
3. Online Shopping or Phishing Websites
Fake websites or apps look like the real thing, but as soon as you enter the card number and CVV, the details are passed directly to the fraudsters.
4. Via public Wi-Fi
Your card data can be hacked by logging in or doing transactions on an open network.
Understand the method of fraud like this
- Fraudsters first obtain card details through some machine or website.
- After this they copy the same data on a blank card.
- Now they have a ready clone of your card.
- Through this they either shop online or withdraw money from ATM.
How to recognize the signs of card cloning
- Unknown transactions appear from your bank account even when you have not spent it.
- After inserting the card in the ATM, the behavior of the machine seems unusual.
- After making card payment, small amounts start getting deducted continuously.
- Transaction alert received from the bank but you have not made the payment.
Ways to avoid card cloning-
1. Take care of ATM
If the card slot in the machine seems loose or an extra camera is visible, immediately use another machine.
2. Cover the keypad while entering the PIN
Cover the keypad with your hands while entering the PIN at any ATM or Point of Sale machine.
3. Never give the card to anyone:
Do not hand over the card to hotels, petrol pumps or shopkeepers. Put it in the machine yourself and make payment.
4. Shop only on secure websites
Enter card details only on websites starting with https://. Avoid phishing links or unknown websites.
5. Do not transact on public Wi-Fi
Do not use banking apps or payment sites on open networks at all.
6. Check bank alerts daily
Keep SMS or email alerts active for every transaction. If you find something wrong, contact the bank immediately.
7. Use digital card lock/unlock feature
Many banks now provide the facility to switch on/off the card from the mobile app. Keep the card off when not needed.
8. Activate Visa/MasterCard Security Services
Adopt a payment system with OTP or two-factor authentication so that no transaction can take place without permission.
What to do if the card is cloned
- Immediately contact the customer service of the bank and get the card blocked.
- File a complaint for unauthorized transaction. If you report within 24 hours the bank can take responsibility.
- Register an FIR on the cyber crime portal (www.cybercrime.gov.in) or in the nearest police station.
- Get a new card issued by the bank and change the netbanking password.
