Card safety tips

BY RAFFY BOUDJIKANIAN

raffy.boudjikanian@transcontinental.ca

As The Chronicle's recent story about debit and credit card fraud in the West Island ("PIN-pointing the problem," Feb. 6) proved to generate high reader interest on our website, here are a few safety tips on keeping as safe as possible whilst continuing to use your cards. This information is also accessible in pamphlets distributed by Scotiabank.

- Select four unique digits that you can remember when creating your PIN number. "Don't use an easy PIN. Your PIN is only as safe as you make it," said Scotiabank security and investigation senior investigator Robert Thibault.

- Remember to shield the keypad when entering your PIN at a banking machine or when making a direct payment purchase. "Make it a point of using the same ABM with the same machine," said James Mousseau, branch and community manager in the West Island. Familiarity with your surroundings will make you more likely to notice if there is anything wrong, he added.

- Regularly go over your bank statements. If any transaction looks suspect, immediately contact your local bank. If it looks like you are within your right, your bank will side with you. In case of Scotiabank, you will also be reimbursed if it deems the transaction was not made by you.

- The rumour that says inverting your PIN number at an ATM or ABM machine if you are under duress will trigger a call to local police is untrue, and an "urban legend," in Thibault's words.

Banks and financial institutions are constantly coming up with better ways to fight fraud. "It's an ongoing battle," Thibault said. "No technology is perfect if it's not well used."

"There will always be dishonest people," Mousseau said, "and (the rest) should not let themselves be cheated out of a very reliable and very convenient resource."