By June Ramli
Recently, I found myself dealing with the unsettling experience of credit card hacking.
I’d like to share some insights on how to handle such a situation effectively.
It all began on a typical Saturday when I noticed that my credit card was being used for unauthorized purchases.
The culprit had embarked on a shopping spree, making charges at various merchants like Dan Murphy, a Mexican restaurant, KFC, and a significant purchase on farfetch.com.au.
What made this situation even more bizarre was the fact that I had never used any of these merchants before, especially Dan Murphy, considering I don’t consume alcoholic beverages.
The ordeal left me quite unnerved, but I must acknowledge my credit card provider’s cooperation when I reported the incident.
Here’s a step-by-step guide based on what I learned from this experience and what I recommend if you ever find yourself in a similar predicament:
Lock Your Card: Your first move should be to lock your card online.
This action promptly deactivates your old card and triggers the issuance of a new one.
Contact Your Bank: Reach out to your bank immediately.
Fortunately, my bank’s customer service was available even on a Saturday.
I was redirected to their fraud department, where I had to wait for about 20 minutes before speaking to a representative.
The representative suggested that my credit card might have been compromised after using websites like Scoot and Booking.com.au.
Review Recent Transactions: Scrutinize your recent transactions meticulously.
In my case, I hadn’t used Booking.com recently, and my card details weren’t saved there.
However, I did make a recent purchase on Scoot and provided my CVC number.
Get in Touch with Companies: Reach out to the companies associated with your recent transactions.
I contacted Scoot, suspecting that my data might have been breached there.
However, they denied any security issues during the period I used their website.
Stay Vigilant: It’s essential to remain vigilant.
The perpetrator took almost a month to start using my card after my Scoot transaction.
I received an alert from my bank when my card was being used at KFC, a place that I don’t normally frequent, which prompted me to take action.
It’s also worth mentioning that my sister-in-law had a similar experience with her credit card after purchasing extra luggage for her Scoot flight from Singapore to Australia in August.
This serves as a stark reminder that credit card hacking is indeed a real threat.
Quick action and vigilance are crucial when you suspect foul play.
As we navigate these modern challenges of cybersecurity, it’s clear that maintaining vigilance and a proactive response is essential.
I hope my personal experience serves as a reminder to always exercise caution when using your credit card at all times.
June Ramli is the editor of DailyStraits.com. To stay in touch with June, look her up on Twitter @junesairaramli