Think Twice Before Swiping Your Credit Card at These 7 Places

The FBI identifies gas pumps, ATMs, and payment terminals as potential targets for card skimming.

Contactless payments and careful inspection can help reduce certain risks.

Drazen Zigic/Shutterstock The credit card terminal at your favorite gas station looks perfectly ordinary.

You insert your card, fill your tank, and drive away without thinking twice about the transaction.

Three days later, your credit card company contacts you about purchases you never made.

Although card fraud can happen almost anywhere, certain payment situations deserve additional attention because criminals can tamper with terminals, exploit unsecured checkout systems, or take advantage of moments when customers lose sight of their cards.

ATMs, point-of-sale terminals, and fuel pumps can all be potential targets for skimming devices that capture payment information.

That doesn’t mean you should stop using credit cards at these businesses, but understanding where payment security can break down may help protect your accounts.

Here are seven situations where choosing a more secure payment method could make a meaningful difference.

1.

Unattended Card Readers at Gas Pumps Gas pumps are easy targets for criminals because customers often pay outside without talking to an employee.

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