Next time you share the four-digit PIN (personal identification number) of your debit card, think twice. For, this is the most common factor leading to banking frauds that could rob you of your hard-earned money.
This was highlighted by R. Suresh, Senior Vice-President and Zonal Head, Retail Branch Banking, HDFC Bank, at a programme organised to educate people on secure banking here on Thursday. “PIN is like one’s signature and should be treated with due caution,” he said. S
haring PIN number or writing the same on the back of the card will jeopardise the security. So is allowing third persons, including the security guard at the ATM, to see the keyboard when the PIN is entered.
“If the security guard tries to be around you inside the kiosk or attempts to help you in operating the ATM, lodge a complaint to the bank,” said Mr. Suresh.
“The same precaution should be taken when you swipe your card at retail shops. People should never reveal their PIN to the shopkeepers. Instead, ask them to place the swiping device close to you and key in the PIN yourself. Hide the keypad with your other palm so that no overhead camera captures the action,” he said.
Mr. Suresh said customers should look out for skimming devices that could be attached to the ATM machines by criminals to stealthily record the data on the debit or credit cards. Similarly, pinhole cameras could be fitted to record the PIN numbers.
Another way of stealing the PIN is by using an overlay keyboard. “If you feel there is something suspicious at the ATM, immediately cancel the transaction and leave the ATM,” he advised.
The bank would conduct awareness programme at all its 205 branches and at corporate offices, schools and residential complexes across the State, said its Deputy Vice-President N. Ramaswamy.
