Things to consider when using a credit card

While credit card usage has become an inseparable part of daily life in Turkey, warnings regarding card security are gaining more importance. As the number of credit cards has reached 151.7 million, the total number of cards, including debit cards and prepaid cards, has risen to 476.2 million.

According to experts, taking simple but effective precautions during both physical shopping and online spending can prevent potential erroneous charges and fraud attempts.

KEY STEPS FOR CARD SECURITY

• - During shopping, it should be checked whether the amount reflected on the POS device is the same as the invoice or receipt. If the card is swiped a second time after a “transaction failed” warning, account activities should be reviewed against the possibility of the same amount being charged twice.
• - It is recommended not to hand the card to the seller during payment. Even if the card is out of sight for a short time, it can increase risks such as copying card information or entering an incorrect amount.
• - Instant spending notifications in mobile banking applications should be kept on. When a user notices a transaction that does not belong to them, they can close their card via the application or contact their bank.
• - The use of virtual cards should be preferred for online shopping. Keeping the virtual card limit low can limit the damage that may occur in a potential fraud attempt.
• - Currency conversion and commissions for overseas spending should be learned in advance. Converting the amount through different currencies in foreign currency transactions can create additional costs.
• - Users who do not travel frequently are advised to enable the overseas usage feature only during the travel period and disable it upon return.
• - When a card is lost, temporary locking or cancellation should be performed via the mobile application; then, the bank should be called to complete the official loss report.
• - If a card remains in an ATM, the bank's call center should be called without leaving the device, and the card should be closed for use.
• - Birth dates, sequential numbers, or easily guessable combinations should be avoided in card passwords. Experts emphasize that personal information that can be learned, especially from social media, should not be used in passwords.