10 risk prone places to use your Credit Cards

Nowadays credit cards are indispensable and most of us prefer to carry credit cards rather than cash, because we feel that carrying cards are much safer. However, do not consider yourself to be completely secured because credit card fraud is rising at an alarming rate. Moreover, if you are duped, the credit card companies and banks are more likely to shift the responsibility on your shoulder. This does not mean that you will stop using cards, but you should be enough careful.

Here is our list of the ten riskiest places where you might use your cards and can get duped:

Non-Bank Owned ATMs
The non-bank ATMs are often just not as safe as bank ATMs and are more likely to be hacked. In some cases, the frauds place devices that look similar to ATMs but they do not give out cash. Instead, they are just card-skimming devices, which can easily steal the information of your credit or debit card.

Wi-Fi Hotspots and Public Computers
Be alert while executing any online transactions over an unsecured wireless connection like in cyber cafes or libraries. This happens because data can be visible while the transaction takes place, even if you are on a secure page while checking out. So avoid transmitting personal data while using non-secure wireless.

Foreign Domain Extension
Select sites that use a .com extension and possess a secure checkout option, while you are going to shop online, for they are likely to be more authentic. Always make sure that the company with which, you are dealing online is actually situated in the country mentioned in the domain extension.

Small shops and cafes in foreign countries
While visiting a small outlet in any foreign location, try to be sure of the authenticity of the shop because most of these smaller merchants have been reported as credit card frauds by banks and credit card companies because the merchants simply cannot be traced out.

Swipe terminals
If you could spot out something doubtful at an ATM credit card swipe terminal – like some ad-ons to the terminal or a separate stand-alone device for you to swipe your card through, just give a second thought before operating it. Most of the time these devices are placed by criminals to steal your credit card information.

Flea markets
The dealers of the flea market are often transitory; hence, if there arise any problem with charges, it is difficult to trace them out. This does not mean that they are frauds but it is always better to carry cash while visiting flea market for the credit card companies might confront troubles doing a charge back.

Recurring Bills / Subscriptions
When you are using credit cards for purchases, which include weekly, monthly or annual billing, you might face the problem of over billing or continued billing once the subscription has expired. It happens because some fraudulent merchants use automatic billing, with the hope that the purchasers will forget to take notice of the credit card statement. So do not fall into the clutch of automatic billing.

Unsolicited E-Mail Offers
If you are availing any particular offer forwarded by a company via mail, check the URL first in the e-mail and avoid clicking, if you have any doubt. You can always get in touch with the company through its official website to confirm the authenticity of the offer.

Consumers on Smart Phones
Check, whether your smart phone connects to a public Wi-Fi signal or not. If it is connected then while transacting your personal information, it can be viewed by someone else by placing a malware on your device, the information can also be transmitted.

Online Checkout
Any safe and secure e-commerce website should possess a secure check out page, indicating the legitimacy of the site and if that does not appear, it is not a site to be revisited.

So, keep in mind the above points to have a safe transaction.