Jasz
VIP Contributor
Being a victim of personal financial fraud can be one of the most upsetting and frustrating experiences people go through. Theft, identity theft, and credit card fraud are all forms of financial fraud which can have devastating consequences on your life.
The first step in avoiding becoming a victim is awareness. By knowing what to look out for, you'll be able to spot potential scams before they happen.
Make sure your bank account is secure. Don't keep any money in there that's not yours, and make sure you have a backup ATM card so you don't need to use your credit cards when withdrawing cash from ATMs or shops (which is more likely than most people think). You should also keep your PIN number safe – you might think this isn't necessary but it can be an easy target for thieves because they know that many people use the same PIN number across multiple accounts.
Look out for unusual email messages or texts asking you to provide personal information or clicking on links in those emails or texts. This could be an attempt to get your login details so they can access your online accounts without you realising it – if something like this happens then give away no personal information unless it involves your life.
The first step in avoiding becoming a victim is awareness. By knowing what to look out for, you'll be able to spot potential scams before they happen.
Make sure your bank account is secure. Don't keep any money in there that's not yours, and make sure you have a backup ATM card so you don't need to use your credit cards when withdrawing cash from ATMs or shops (which is more likely than most people think). You should also keep your PIN number safe – you might think this isn't necessary but it can be an easy target for thieves because they know that many people use the same PIN number across multiple accounts.
Look out for unusual email messages or texts asking you to provide personal information or clicking on links in those emails or texts. This could be an attempt to get your login details so they can access your online accounts without you realising it – if something like this happens then give away no personal information unless it involves your life.
