What is "Skimming"?
Debit Card Skimming is when your debit card information and PIN have been stolen without your knowledge. For a fraudster to be able to use your card, they must have both the card information and your PIN. That's why it is imperative that you Protect Your PIN.
How Can I Protect My PIN?
There are different ways that fraudsters try and identify your PIN. They can "shoulder-surf" you, or skulk around behind you while you input your PIN for a legitimate transaction. They may also have installed a camera on or near the equipment you are using to capture your PIN as you input it. Regardless, there are several ways that you can protect your PIN, and thereby help deter debit card fraud:
- Use your hand, body or wallet to shield your PIN when you are conducting transactions at an ABM or at a point of sale location.
- Never let your debit card out of sight when conducting a transaction at a point of sale location.
- Be aware of how many times someone is swiping your card. If your card appears to have been swiped more than once, especially on different machines, it could have been skimmed.
- Always remember to take your card and transaction receipt with you upon completion of an ABM or point of sale transaction.
- If your debit card is lost, stolen or retained by an ABM, notify your CWB branch immediately upon becoming aware of the problem.
- Your debit card and PIN are the keys to your account. NEVER disclose your PIN to anyone.
- Memorize your PIN. If you suspect someone may know your PIN, change it immediately or have your card cancelled.
- When selecting your PIN, never use obvious information such as date of birth, phone number, SIN, address or children's ages.
- Regularly check your bank statements and balances to verify all transactions. If entries do not accurately reflect your transactions, if there are either additional or missing transactions, this could indicate that someone has skimmed your card and accessed your account. Contact your CWB branch immediately.