![]() ![]() Not only do banks store account numbers and names, they also store dates of birth, Social Security numbers, ID numbers, addresses and credit card numbers-everything a thief needs to compromise an identity. Many retailers, loyalty programs, websites and other organizations hold pieces of your personal information, but your bank probably has the most information about you that is of interest to someone seeking to steal your identity. Data breaches are usually the result of activities conducted by sophisticated, experienced and well-organized cybercriminals. Large banks and other businesses sometimes suffer from data breaches. If your card is skimmed, you won’t know your information has been stolen until a fraudulent charge appears on your account. Chip technology has disrupted the success of this method, but it’s still possible for a thief to copy card information, store it and use it later to make fraudulent purchases. Skimmers are most frequently found at publicly accessible credit card readers like the ones on self-serve pumps at gas stations but have also been found at other less-monitored locations or at checkout counters in retail stores. Some credit card thieves install skimmers on card readers. It’s also possible to place a hold on a credit card if you believe the card was simply misplaced, but still want to be protected. If you lose your credit card or have it stolen, contact the issuer right away to have the card number changed and the card replaced. A new card can also be stolen from your mailbox before you have an opportunity to get to it. Losing a wallet or having a credit card pickpocketed is always a possibility, especially while traveling. Theft of a physical credit card can happen several ways. ![]() Card information can be stolen in a number of ways, from physical card theft to cybercrime.
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