How to Check If Your Credit Card Has Been Hacked

By Mav OT •  Updated: 03/27/24 •  7 min read

In this modern age, where technology has helped us all, that same technology puts us in a vulnerable state. Of course, the whole point of technology is to make human life comfortable and better. But those same tech ideas have some loopholes that tend to create sequential problems. 

Credit card hacking has been around since its introduction and usage. In South Africa, credit card stealing is common. Unfortunately, the bad ones use certain smart scanners to steal your credit card details

. If you find yourself in South Africa or any part of the world, you must understand the possibility of having your credit details captured is not so low. 

This is why Searche.com always provides great tips to help our audience stay safe and keep their wallets away from thieves. You can easily fall victim, and as such, it is important to read through this entire article to understand credit card theft, hacking, and protection. 

Can I check if my credit card has been hacked?

Simply yes, it is possible to check if your credit card has been hacked. There are other means that can provide enough evidence about your credit card being hacked. 

Although there is no direct way to inform you that your credit card has been hacked, there are certain ways to know if it has.

How to check if your credit card has been hacked

Protecting your banking information is very important in this digital age, where ease of use often comes with the risk of being hacked. Credit cards have become an important part of modern life because they make buying things and making deals easier. However, because hacking and data breaches are becoming more common, it is important to stay alert and look out for any signs that your credit card may have been hacked.

It is important to keep an eye on your credit card statements, transaction history, and account balances so you can spot any strange behaviour. You can also quickly find and deal with suspicious transactions by letting your bank send you notifications and reports about transactions.

How do I know if someone has my card information?

Card information is equally as good as not having the card. Yes, possibly, your card details can fall into someone’s hands without even giving them your card. But the question is, “How do I know if someone has my card information?”.It can be extremely hard to know if someone has your card information. The only thing that may trigger or raise a flag about someone having your details is when there is a payment or purchase. Once you know the payment did not come from your end; you will know your card has fallen into the wrong hands. 

You can also check your card details to find out about recent transactions. This should give you an entire statement of how the card has been used. Any discrepancies whatsoever can confirm someone has your card information. 

Debtors may also call to follow up on certain payments and possibly pull a hard inquiry on your credit. When this happens without your knowledge, it is critical to take action with your bank, as this may confirm that someone has your card information. 

How did someone use my credit card without having it?

It is very possible for someone to use your credit card without physically having it in hand. The credit card has several features that make it complete, whether physically or virtual. 

You should expose your card; anybody can steal your card details and use them. 

The card number, date, CVV, name, etc, are part of the information a scammer needs to make use of your card. 

When we look at how online payments are made, they only request you input these details; your name, address, card number, CVV and the rest. These details are processed in the system so that any debit happens to your account. 

If someone possessing all these details can easily make payments or purchases without your card, it is always important to keep your card safe in order not to fall victim to these.

What do I do if a scammer has my card details?

Knowing a scammer has your card details could be the most anxious experience to ever have. Everybody knows what scammers do to credit cards. They steal your details and then make all sorts of purchases.

If you ever find out if a scammer has your card details, the first thing you should do is change your email password. Some scammers are so smart that they even have your email logins to control everything. 

Most importantly, you must call your card provider as soon as possible and inform them to block your card as soon as possible. Certainly, you may have to provide extra information that proves the card is yours and not for another person.

This is the point where these details come in a good spot. Be sure to provide your card issuer with all the information to help you get your card blocked.

How do I find out if someone opened a credit card in my name?

There are a lot of different ways that identity theft or scams could happen to you. If someone steals enough of your personal information, they could use it to get a cash loan in your name, change your contact information to an address they own, or even file your taxes as you.

The only sure way to find out who has applied for a loan or opened an account in your name is to get a copy of your credit report. Keep in mind that you will need to get your credit reports from all three companies in order to check for fraud. Each report may have different information and details. The three big ones are TransUnion, Experian, and Equifax.

After looking at all three of your credit reports, make sure you read them carefully. Check that each account on your reports has the right name, amount, and other information. Also, make sure that you own the accounts listed.

It is very important that you report any accounts that you do not recognise right away. Still, it’s important to remember that you have the right (and the duty) to challenge any mistakes or false information that shows up on your credit report. This includes accounts that are really stopped or that have the wrong amount in them.

How do I protect my credit card from being scanned?

Most people who have been victims of credit card scams can give absurd advice on how to protect your card from being scanned. Some may tell you to get cage wallet protectors, and others may advise on using copper mesh or aluminum foil. That sounds funny, but when you have been a victim of credit card theft, you want to use all possible ways to keep your card from being scanned. 

Technology, with its pros and cons, makes everything questionable. Now, there are devices that card thieves use to scan your card. This is a very simple tool that can capture all the information on your credit card. So, how can we protect our cards from being scanned? Here is what you need to do. 

You can keep your cards safe by buying a wallet that stops RFID signals. A layer of either metal or carbon fibre is used to make this type of wallet. Because of this one-of-a-kind layer inside the pocket, the electric fields can not reach your RFID cards. It is also likely that more wallets with RFID protection will be made as RFID technology becomes more common in our daily lives. 

If you do not have a card shield protector, an RFID-blocking wallet can be used as a substitute. Scanners that are close to this card will not be able to read any of your other cards because it creates an electromagnetic field around it. This card shield is easy to use and does not need to be charged.

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