E-Commerce Lovers Must Be Aware of E-Skimming! Here Are 5 Tips to Avoid E-Skimming
In today’s digital era, online selling and buying is a very common thing. The advancement of technology makes it impossible to give up on shopping online. Right now, products and services, even electricity and maintenance bills offer online payment options which is easier and practical. Moreover, this pandemic which limits our movement to go outside makes online method the best option.
We all surely have heard about ATM skimming — one of the most popular cybercrimes as it causes a huge number of victims. ATM skimming is when hackers add skimmer devices on the front of automatic teller machines. What makes many people become victims is the devices look as if they are part of the ATM, making it difficult for them to notice which devices they should avoid.
However, this new cyberthreat called ‘e-skimming’ allows hackers to do something similar on checkout pages online, allowing them to steal personal and payment information from anywhere across the globe.
What is E-Skimming?
E-skimming is when hackers insert malicious credential-stealing software into e-commerce websites.
They are stealing your payment information from the shopping cart in real time while you are checking out with your credit card or debit card. They may even use your card or sell your information on the dark web before you complete the transaction.
Once the information is obtained, it is transferred to the hackers’ domain. It was also discovered that the skimming campaign involves multiple hacking groups that work together to develop techniques to target vulnerable websites. Because it doesn’t require physical access, the hackers involved are spread across the globe.
How to Avoid E-Skimming
1. Enable ‘Card Not Present’ Transaction Alert
One of the most effective defense against e-skimming is “Card Not Present” transaction alerts. This alert is sent by your card issuer through email or text, and notifies you whenever your card is used to make a number-only purchase.
The alert is sent as soon as the transaction is completed. When you notice that there are some unusual payment from your card, you should contact your bank right away to prevent the payment from going through and immediately close that card.
2. Monitor Your Bank and Credit Card Accounts
It is critical that all e-commerce customers check their bank and credit card accounts on a regular basis. It is purposely to ensure that nothing suspicious is going on with your account.
There is also a possibility that hackers may have used or sold your card, and you may only have a limited amount of time to dispute any charges in order to avoid accepting responsibility for them. Therefore, start monitoring your bank and credit card accounts.
3. Only Use Trusted Websites and Look for HTTPS
Hackers have a fun game to see who can gain the most credibility by taking down larger and larger targets. The more trusted and secure the retailer, however, the more likely they have strong security protocols in place.
Therefore, it is important to always make sure that you only shop through trusted websites that use HTTPS. It is the best to avoid sites that you are not familiar with despite of how great their deals are.
4. Get A Low-Limit Card for Online Buying
If you are an active online shopper, it would be better if you consider getting a low-limit credit card to use on the internet.
Why?
Because that can help limit the amount of damage that hackers can cause if your credit card information is stolen online.
5. Plan Your Shopping
It’s a good idea to plan out what you’ll buy and where you’ll buy it. It will assist you in sticking to your budget and will prevent you from being enticed into opening dozens of online accounts and spreading your spending around. Therefore, limiting where you shop can help reduce your chances of getting e-skimmed.
In this digital era, you should always be aware of cyberthreats that are increasing everyday. These technology advancements indeed give us convenience in many ways, but there are also some consequences from using them.
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Sources
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. (n.d.). E-Skimming / Scams and Fraud / Consumer Resources / Home — Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services. https://www.fdacs.gov/Consumer-Resources/Scams-and-Fraud/E-Skimming/
Shafi, H. (2022, March 30). New Cybercrime called E-Skimming is Targeting Businesses with Online shopping Websites. Medium. https://haniahshafi.medium.com/new-cybercrime-called-e-skimming-is-targeting-businesses-with-online-shopping-websites-56461b34deba
