Security tips for credit cards
We continuously adapt our processes and systems to be well equipped to combat new fraud schemes. Here are some important tips on how to protect yourself from fraudulent use of the credit card.
Fighting fraud together
Billions of phishing emails are sent worldwide every year. Fraudsters disguise their attacks extremely cleverly with the aim of "fishing" for personal data as well as passwords and card numbers. We work closely with the authorities and continuously adapt our security measures to new fraud schemes.
We also rely on your assistance in this regard and give you some important tips on how to protect yourself from fraudulent use of the credit card. The latest procedures and current cases can be found here documented by the police.
Tips on how you can best protect yourself against phishing:
- No bank or financial institution will ask you to click on a link in an email or an SMS or to verify data, accounts or credit cards. Always enter the Internet address (URL) directly in the browser’s address line instead of clicking links.
- Do not trust emails or SMS that you receive on an unsolicited basis or from unknown senders. Very trustworthy company names are often misused by criminals as fraudulent email addresses or SMS senders, asking you to take urgent action or warning you of dire consequences. If you think you know who the sender is, use a different channel to ask them if they sent the message, without clicking on a link or an attachment.
- Check the spelling. Phishing mails and SMS are often translated by programs and are full of errors. The form of address is often impersonal.
- Never allow anybody else to maintain your computer remotely. Fraudsters operating under well-known company names such as Apple or Microsoft claim that they want to remove supposed computer viruses but use remote maintenance programs such as AnyDesk to steal your data and information.
- Contact our customer service team if you receive an SMS with a code (mTAN) and do not know why you received it.
Important tips on how to protect yourself against online fraud:
- Sales through Facebook Marketplace, Tutti, Anibis etc.: Never pay insurance or transportation costs when selling your goods online. Beware as soon as you are asked to pay something yourself for your sale, even if it is just an advance.
- New functions or game improvements can often be purchased on the smartphone or tablet through in-app purchases. You can disable these in-app purchases on your device or block them with a password. This can prevent unintentional or uncontrollable purchases. Check these settings already when you register and store your payment method.
- Serious online shops or websites always transmit all data encrypted. Look for the lock symbol in the Internet browser’s address line.
- If you are paying online by credit card, you need your credit card number, but never the number of your credit card account.
- Be cautious with bank accounts abroad. Ask the shop owner whether they have a bank account in Switzerland or offer another payment option.
- Google each online store before you shop there for the first time. Don’t just look at the first three search results, scroll down and look for comments or ratings.
- Do not enter competitions if you are required to disclose credit card or bank details.
- Do not give out your credit card or bank account information even if the organizer claims you have won and you will be required to pay shipping, customs, or insurance premiums for your competition prize.
- Take particular care with advertisements that depict famous people like Roger Federer or DJ BoBo and that tout investments with quick returns, on Facebook for example. Unregulated forex platforms that want to con you are usually behind this.
- Commercial websites in Switzerland are required to include a legal notice (Impressum). Never trust a website without a legal notice. Consult the warning list published by the Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA or the Reporting and Analysis Centre for Information Assurance if you are unsure.
You can find more information and tips on how to use credit cards securely and responsibly at DieKreditkarte.ch.
Current information on online fraud attempts can be found on the Swiss Confederation’s National Cyber Security Centre NCSC website. It is best to report attacks to the police immediately.