Some people may wonder if it is safe to give the last 4 digits of a credit card. This issue is related to personal information protection and bank fraud, so let’s find out more to understand.
Abstract Article:
Is it safe to give the last 4 digits of credit card?
You need to know whether it is safe to give the last 4 digits of your credit card in order to avoid identity theft. Remember that you need to keep all your card information private if you are not sharing it with verified representatives. That’s how you can manage your account well. Additionally, don’t forget to set a secure password and frequently your transaction history in your credit card.
Credit card security features
First, you need to know some basic security features included in a credit card.
All credit cards have a signature panel, date of expiration, magnetic stripe, and unique account number
- Signature panel: whether you believe it or not, credit cards must be signed according to the terms of the credit card issuer. Merchants can refuse to accept cards when the signature box is empty, or if it’s the words “See I D.”
- Security code: there are 4 digits code printed on the back of the credit card. It is required to possess any card-not-present transactions. It is also known as CVV which is “a card verification value”.
- Chip cards (EMV cards): Not the same as cards with only magnetic stripes, chip cards encrypt and quantify information to each transaction, which makes fraud much more difficult.
- Holographs: this is the standard of most credit cards and is unique to the card network
- Usage monitoring: If you buy an unusual purchase – for example, for a large number or elsewhere, your card issuer might flag the card and take steps to check the purchase is authentic.
There are also some additional features of a credit card
- Photos: Bank of America and Citigroup add your photo to your credit card requested. However, due to the sales perspective and online stores and keyboards, photos will not provide much security.
- Temporary purchase numbers: Some credit card issuers, including the Bank of America and Citi, provide you the right to make a single card number to buy online. Therefore, if you do not affect your card number, it doesn’t matter if you never compromise.
- Virtual credit card numbers: Some credit card issuers provide virtual credit card numbers. These are the digital versions of the physical card. For online shopping or phone, it is usually served to prevent fraud and identity. If something happens with a virtual card you can delete it and get a new one.
is it safe to give the last 4 digits of credit card ? What you should not do?
Identity thieves often call and say that it is an organization where you trust – a fire department conducting a fundraiser, a utility company closing your electricity, a director of a competition that you have won to give them a credit card number. You must always be careful about clicking links in the email where the sender’s email address seems suspect.
“Phishing” is another form of fraud, it is popular online. With phishing scams. criminals can send an email to pretend to be your bank or credit card issuer. These emails may require personal information or may give fake links in an attempt to steal your information.
To verify that the requirement is legal, contact the organization through published telephone numbers or secure message systems. You can develop the routine to visit the E-bank and card issuer’s websites directly. Do not pass the links provided in the email of many precautions.
Don’t email your card number
Some email hackers use search tools for scanning strings of numbers that are likely to be credit cards.
Every time you type or write your credit card number and tell someone in a non-safe manner, you increase the risk of exposure.
Some companies, including vacation home websites, request your credit card number as a kind of deposit or warranty. While it is not unusual, it is not very safe and you have to look for alternatives.
Don’t make a transaction on open networks
When there is no password needed to access WiFi networks, unencrypted data can be displayed for nearby computers. These other computers can interrupt the information you’re transmitting and receiving from websites that don’t have “HTTPS” in the URL.
This means that you can send your credit card number or other personal information directly to the hands waiting for the identity thread.
Many legal financial services are made on the telephone and must be with verbal credit card numbers and other personal information. If you recite that information out loud, someone could hear and use it. Therefore, it is better to avoid making these public calls in public places.
Ways to protect your credit card well
Manage Your Passwords and Accounts Carefully
- Make secure, unique passwords: managing your password well is one of the best ways to protect your identity. Creating a strong password would make it hard for bank fraud. And remember to avoid weak passwords like your date of birth, for example, “23071997”.
- Change your passwords regularly: changing them regularly is also a good way to your credit card security.
- Log out after every transaction: always remember to log out of all online accounts, especially when you use a device to which others have access rights.
- Disable autofill: Web browsers often hold information about your credit card for you. Do not use this function if you want to be extra careful.
- Look for “HTTPS”: Before sending your card information online, make sure the address of the site begins with “HTTPS://” instead of just “HTTP://”. “S” is safe, and that means information that you send through forms encrypted.
So, our advice is not safe to give the last 4 digits of a credit card as criminals can steal your identity. The maintenance of personal information is the best way for bad people who can’t benefit from attacking your bank account. Therefore, good habits create as not to publish personal information, be careful with internet interactions. In this way, the bank fraud process will be more difficult with theft and will reduce the risk of your credit card.