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I once spent and entire WEEK using my friend's credit card instead of my own. Why? We had both tossed our identical looking cards at a dinner bill, and absent-mindedly exchanged them in the pen 'n paper shuffle. Keep your credit card as safe as you do your passport, preferably in a money belt under your clothing or in a zipped pocket inside your jacket or coat. Never leave your card in an unsecure place at home or in your car.
Never allow anybody to transact on your card on your behalf.
Make sure the amount printed on the slip is correct before you sign it.
Always check that the card the cashier returns to you is yours.
Keep duplicate slips and check them against your card statement.
Keep all receipts and don't throw away receipts or statements as these could be used by fraudsters to obtain card numbers.
Never disclose your PIN to any person via telephone or email, the bank will never ask for your PIN
Report suspicious transactions to your bank immediately Check the surroundings, and if the machine is obstructed from view or poorly lit, go to another ATM.
Make sure that nobody can see you enter your PIN.
Do not accept offers of help to use ATMs.
Put your cash, card and receipt away immediately. Count your money later.
If you see anyone or anything suspicious, cancel your transaction and leave immediately. If anyone follows you, go to a crowded, well-lit area and call the police.
When using an enclosed ATM that requires your card to open the door, do not let any strangers follow you in.
The scariest bit? We both got away with blithely using each others cards for a full week.
Credit and debit cards are NOT just pieces of plastic. Be mindful of how you sling them around. We asked Mike Olsen, Director of Standard Bank's Card Division for some pointers. And here they are...
General tips
At an ATM
For Standard Bank card queries, contact their call centre number on (011) 241 1000.
