CARD AND CHEQUE FRAUD

Card Fraud

Lost and stolen card fraud

This occurs when a lost or stolen card is used by a fraudster posing as you. Most lost and stolen card fraud occurs before you report the loss.

To protect yourself:

• Report any lost or stolen cards immediately
• Use chip and PIN cards where possible (e.g. FCMB Verve card, FCMB Prefunded MasterCard)
• Only carry the cards you need
• Avoid placing cards in your pockets, where they can easily fall out
• Make sure that your cards fit snugly inside your wallet or purse
• Take precautions to avoid your card being stolen – for example, don’t leave your handbag unattended or carry your wallet in your back pocket

Counterfeit card fraud

Counterfeit card can be a fake card or a valid one that’s been altered or recoded. Most cases of this fraud involve skimming, the process by which the data on your card’s magnetic stripe is electronically copied onto another card without your knowledge. Skimming commonly occurs at retail outlets – particularly bars, restaurants and at cash machines that have been illegally fitted with a skimming device. The stolen data is then used to create counterfeit cards.

To protect yourself:

• Don’t leave your card with bar or restaurant staff for long periods
• Don’t let retail staff take your card away to process payments
• Check cash machines for signs of tampering before you use them

Card-not-present fraud 

This occurs when fraudsters steal your card details and use them to make purchases over the Internet or by phone, fax or mail. Always be aware of who you are dealing with.

To protect yourself:

• Avoid entering your card details on shared or public computers
• Always remember to log out of any websites where you’ve entered your card details.
• Only enter your card details on secure sites (i.e. those whose web address begins with 'https' and cause a padlock to appear in the browser window)
• Keep a close eye on your statements and report any fraudulent transactions immediately

Identity theft on cards 

This occurs when a fraudster uses your personal information to open or access card accounts in your name. There are two types.

To protect yourself:

• Shred bills, bank statements and other documents containing your personal details before disposing of them
• If you use social networking sites, display as little personal data on your page as possible

Cheque Fraud

How does cheque fraud occur? 

Cheque fraud takes place when a fraudster uses a stolen or counterfeit cheque to pay for goods and services. Most fraudulent cheques are stopped before any loss occurs.

How to protect yourself against cheque fraud

• Don’t accept cheques from anyone unless you know and trust them, especially when a high-value cheque is involved
• Always consider other ways of accepting payment for high-value items e.g. via NEFT and RTGS.
• Keep your chequebook in a safe place
• Report any missing cheques to your bank immediately
• Always check your bank statements thoroughly

If you believe you have been a victim of a fraud, please call our Contact Centre Number (07003290000) or send an email to  customersolutions@fcmb.com. If your ATM PIN number has been compromised, please change your PIN immediately.