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Shoulder surfing: why it's best to always keep your distance while making payments

3 min Reading time

With shoulder surfing a fraudster looks over your shoulder while you make a transaction at an ATM or at the cash register. Afterwards they try to get hold of your bank card. When they have stolen your personal details, codes and card, they empty your account.

 

How does it work?

 

The criminals proceed in two steps:

  1. They try to spy on your PIN when you make a payment. Make sure no one is too close behind you or is spying on you before you enter your code. Or even better: pay contactless.
  2. If they have your pin code, they still want your card. They try to steal it from you by talking to you, or by pretending to find money on the street, for example. In other words, there will be a distraction. The other steals your card or your bag.

When they have your name, your bank card and your pin code, they immediately take money from your account, even before you realize that your payment card is gone. You will suddenly lose a lot of money.

 

What can you do to protect yourself?

 

A few tips:

  • Make sure that others cannot watch when you enter your PIN.
  • Use your free hand or wallet to shield entering the PIN.
  • If someone is too close behind you, ask for more privacy.
  • Do not let yourself be distracted. A criminal does not need much time to change your payment card.
  • Keep your payment card in a safe place.
  • Never give your PIN to anyone else.

Victim?

  • Immediately report the loss or theft of your payment card to your bank.
  • Contact the police.
  • Report unsafe conditions at a payment terminal to the relevant bank.
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