Thieves may attempt to assume your identity to open new accounts, obtain loans in your name or make unwanted purchases by using items such as your driver’s license or Social Security number.

Protect yourself from identity theft by monitoring your card and account statements weekly, reporting all lost or stolen cards immediately and by contacting your financial institution if your replacement card or new card does not arrive on time.

If you are a victim of identity theft, call (866) ID-HOTLINE or visit the Call for Action website. 

Phishing refers to scams that attempt to trick consumers into revealing personal information that can be used to commit fraud. Such scams can happen over the phone, email, mail and text message.

Phishers often target users with fake internet sites or email messages that are disguised to seem legitimate, or leverage social networking sites where users are already sharing information with others.

Look out for common tactics such as subtle misspellings in URLs, or substitutions such as using “.biz” instead of “.com.”

If you receive an unsolicited message asking you to confirm account information, be extremely cautious – financial institutions do not proactively request this sort of information. 

Some scammers may send you official-looking letters or pose as representatives from a financial institution on the phone.

Visa will not call or email cardholders to request personal account information. Report suspicious calls or emails by calling the number on the back of your card.

Do not give out information unless you have initiated the communication or have verified the source. 

To protect yourself online, visit only trusted merchants and avoid sites that ask you to provide unnecessary information, such as your Social Security number. Never send payment information by email.

Check to make sure that transactions occur in a secure environment by looking for the padlock icon at the bottom of your browser. Any website URL where you enter sensitive information should begin with https://.

Visa Checkout also provides added security by offering advanced authentication tools when you use Visa Checkout to shop online. 

Learn about Visa Checkout

Cover the keypad when you enter your PIN and be aware of your surroundings.

If you are using a drive-through ATM, lock your doors and roll up your other windows. Don’t leave your car running or unlocked if you decide to walk to the ATM. 

Keep Your Money Secure

We all have a role to play in keeping our financial accounts safe. Similar to the way you protect your physical wallet today, it’s important to protect your digital payment experience.

As electronic and mobile commerce options expand, the payments industry, with its long history of security and fraud prevention, is using advanced technology to protect consumers. At the same time, even the most secure application can be compromised, especially if you use a weak password or if your device is unlocked and ends up in the hands of someone else.

There are a few simple things you can do to help

Make sure access to your money is as secure as it is convenient. Keeping your sensitive information safe can be easy and inexpensive, while providing immediate benefit in protecting against identity theft and fraud.

Essentially, keep three letters in mind to “L-O-K” access to your money and keep it safe: 

Lock it down

Enable device passwords

Set devices to require a password before they can be used.  Enjoy the benefits of additional layers of security mobile devices or PCs offer.  

Connect to secure networks and applications

Choose secure network connections you trust.  A simple test: more secure WiFi connections require passwords and are easily identified as “WPA or WPA2.”  Highly-unsecure WiFi is wide-open for anyone to connect to, and may be labeled as a “WEP” connection.  

Keep your device updated

Hardware and software manufacturers release frequent updates to optimize performance and security. Stay aware of updates and their impacts, and ensure they are installed. 

Use security software

Be smart about it – activate applications for detecting and removing threats, including firewalls. Also activate virus and malware detection and intrusion-detection systems. 

Only you access sensitive information

Keep your private stuff private

Don’t share sensitive data with those you don’t trust. This includes when you respond to email requests, phone inquiries or allow control to anyone you would not normally hand over actual physical wallet to. Credible service providers and support staff will never ask for private information such as passwords or payment-account numbers. 

Keep login credentials secure

Easy access to usernames and passwords leads to misuse. Don’t write down information used to access your digital payment account in plain view or store in an unprotected file. 

Use a password that only works with your digital payment account

Don’t use the same password you use for other accounts especially email or social networking sites. This increases the risk of unauthorized access. Instead, use an easily remembered, yet hard-to-guess password unique to your digital payment account.  

Know who to call

Identify who to contact if there are issues, before one arises

Financial institutions, payment networks and merchants are all needed to make electronic and mobile payments work. Make sure you understand the quickest way to resolve any issues that arise and who is responsible for any fraudulent activity on your account. Scenarios to consider:

• Your phone is lost or stolen
• An individual card stored in the digital payment account is lost
• Your account has been or may have been hacked 

Review contract terms and conditions

This is where rights and liabilities are defined. Topics should address data privacy, opting-in and out of various features and impacts of enrolling and canceling accounts and services.

These Digital Payment Best Practices are informational recommendations only.  Visa does not warrant or guarantee that these recommendations are the only steps you need to take to protect your online security. For more information, visit www.visa.com/security.