With LINDA against phishing!

Debit and credit card fraud

Debit and credit card fraud usually takes place online. That’s why #watchout is important: Stick to LINDA. Each of the letters of her name stand for a mnemonic that you can use to prevent card offences: 

Links and attachments from people you don’t know must never be clicked on.

  • If you click on this sort of link or open an attachment, your personal data may be stolen or your device may be infected with a virus.
  • So always be careful with links and attachments from unknown senders!

Information contained in emails must be assessed critically.

  • If you click on this sort of link or open an attachment, your personal data may be stolen or your device may be infected with a virus.
  • So always be careful with links and attachments from unknown senders!

Neutral forms of address in messages raise your suspicions.

  • Fraudsters often use impersonal forms of address such as "Dear customer" or "Hello user" instead of your name.
  • This shows that the company doesn’t know your correct name. In addition, your bank or card provider will never contact you by email to ask for information.

Deadlines and urgency are suspicious.

  • Scammers often use urgency and time pressure in emails as a psychological tactic to pressure you into making quick, rash decisions.
  • If you receive an email wanting an urgent response, you should check the message carefully and, if necessary, contact the sender directly using the official contact information.
  • Also remember this: Your bank or card provider will never contact you by email to ask for personal details.

Address of the sender should always be checked carefully.

  • Fraudsters often use fake email addresses that look deceptively similar to the real sender’s address.
  • They often change just one letter or use a domain that is almost identical with a trusted domain. 
  • If you have any doubts, you should not use the contact information in the email.

      Good to know

      Good to know

      LINDA’s tips against phishing are also available for you to print out.

      Download here

      In-store shopping and cash withdrawals

      Card payments are completely secure thanks to state-of-the-art technologies. In Switzerland, cardholders can also make contactless payments of up to CHF 80 free of charge. The following seven points will help you protect your cards and shop safely.

      1.

      Keep your PIN secret
      and protect it

      • Make sure you know your PIN by heart.
      • Avoid obvious number combinations such as your date of birth.
      • Keep your PIN to yourself.
      • Your card issuer will never ask you to reveal your PIN.
      • Never enter your PIN in door entry systems, as these are prone to tampering.
      2.

      Conceal your PIN code
      when entering it

      Always conceal your PIN when you enter it and do not allow anyone to watch you do so.

      3.

      No distractions

      Do not allow yourself to be distracted when withdrawing money, making a payment or buying tickets. Ask people who come too close to you to keep their distance. Do not get involved in a conversation and do not accept help from anyone, known or unknown, if, for example, your card is stuck in the machine.

      4.

      Take gut feelings
      seriously

      Give in to your intuition at the card machine: if a machine seems suspicious or you feel uncomfortable at the machine because, for example, there are dubious people around, or someone approaches you or gets too close, stop the payment or withdrawal process and find another machine.

      5.

      Do not let the card out of your hand

      Keep an eye on your card, and don’t let shop assistants go into another room with your card or trust a supposed helper at the ATM. The card can be exchanged in a flash without you noticing.

      6.

      Have your card
      blocked

      Have your card blocked immediately if you suspect misuse. The same applies if your card is stolen, lost or swiped at the machine.

      7.

      Check and
      report anomalies

      Always check the amount to be paid before confirming your PIN or signing the bill. Check receipts and account statements and report any discrepancies to your card issuer immediately.

          Settings for your payment card

          Set purchase limits and turn off card features that you do not use regularly. The options for managing card functions of the new debit cards in the self-service portal vary from bank to bank. Contact your bank if you need help with this.

          Geographical settings
          Also check the geographical settings of your cards and restrict their use in certain regions. If you have any questions, your card issuer will be happy to help.

          Tip

          Tip

          Stick a note on your passport reminding you to check the geographical settings of your card before you travel.

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