First National Bank, in association with Visa International, is hosting Card Security Week from 1 to 7 November, to raise general card fraud awareness.
"Statistically, credit and debit card fraud is at its highest throughout November," says Jan Kleynhans, CEO of FNB`s Card division. "This campaign is all about helping consumers to protect themselves against crimes involving their bank cards.
"Research indicates that November is a higher risk month across the banking industry for consumers throughout the world.
"With a break around the corner and a busy year complete, it is easy to let your guard down. At this time of year, savings, bonuses and 13th cheques play a large role in how people meet the holiday season; we don`t want the festive season to be ruined by opportunistic criminals," says Kleynhans.
Throughout Card Security Week, FNB and Visa International will issue credit and debit card safety tips as part of a consumer awareness drive.
"The Card Security Week aims to highlight those measures which protect consumers against the latest criminal activities," says Neil Hawkey, Visa`s risk management VP for Africa.
"With criminals constantly on the lookout for opportunities to take advantage of any financial tool, cards remain a viable target. FNB Card Security Week is helping cardholders to be more aware of the tactics employed by criminals and the easy methods that can be implemented to prevent fraud.
"Criminals obtain cardholders` personal information and PIN number by various means. Consumers should therefore be careful of fraudulent activities and should never give out their personal information to anyone.
"Your card should always be treated in the same way as cash. Consumers should always be aware of what is happening to their card, where it is, who is handling it and what is taking place. Additionally, cardholders should always check their monthly statements to enable rapid reporting of any possible fraud," says Hawkey.
"General tips to protect the money in your account include never letting your credit or debit card out of your sight, never revealing your PIN number to anyone and covering the ATM keypad when entering the PIN.
"Combating the risk of fraudulent use of bank cards on the Internet, Visa has developed a password system, Verified by Visa - referred to as 3-D Secure, to enable better authentication of cardholders when they transact over the Internet."
Further safety tips can be obtained at www.fnb.co.za.
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