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How to protect yourself
The following tips can help you to protect yourself from skimming and other card scams. For more information on card protection please visit www.card-security.ch
Secret PIN code
Your PIN code is secret and should not under any circumstances be given to others (not even to employees at your financial institution or to the police), be kept with the card, or a note of it be made on the card. You should never enter your PIN code to open a door.
Choosing an easily guessable combination, such as a date of birth or car number plate, is not recommended for the PIN code. It is important that you memorise your PIN code. Using something to help you remember it can be helpful. For example, the individual digits can be entered on the basis of a specific pattern, a calculation or a story. An example story for PIN code 597121: I need 5 minutes to get to the tram station of line number 9, then I ride 7 minutes to my stop where there is 1 kebab stand with 2 employees and 1 boss.
Conceal your PIN code entry
Conceal your PIN code entry from prying eyes at all card-based machines. Hold one hand (or your wallet) above the other hand. Do not allow anybody to see you enter your PIN code.
No distractions
Do not allow yourself to be distracted when withdrawing money, paying or buying a ticket. Ask those who come too close to keep their distance. Do not allow yourself to engage in a conversation and do not accept any help from anybody known or unknown to you if, for example, your card is stuck in a card-based machine.
Take your gut instinct seriously
Follow your intuition at the card-based machine. If a card-based machine appears suspicious, or you have a strange feeling at the card-based machine because, for example, there are dubious people nearby, somebody speaks to you or somebody comes too close to you, abort the payment or withdrawal action and look for another machine.
Do not let your card out of your hand
Never let your card out of your hand – either to give to an assistant or to a service employee at the card-based machine. The card can be swapped as quick as a flash without you noticing.
Have the card blocked
Have the card blocked immediately if you suspect misuse. The same applies for theft, loss and retention of the card at the card-based machine. More information is available here.
Report your suspicions
If you suspect that a card-based machine has been manipulated, or have tangible reasons to believe this, inform the card-based machine operator. Outside office hours, contact the police on emergency number 117. This way you help to prevent further losses.
Card Control abroad
Card Control is defined as the restriction of card usage abroad. Most effective are the following measures:
Geoblocking / Geocontrol:
The card can only be used in selected countries.
Restrictions on the withdrawal limit:
The maximum withdrawal limit of the card is restricted.
Hybrid form:
The maximum withdrawal limit applies to certain selected countries.
Different financial institutions have their own measures for Card Control and also the selection of countries is not consistent. The choice of countries in which the card can be used is made either by the financial institution itself or by the client. Therefore customers are advised to contact their personal financial institution. Make use of this service.
Check account movements
Regularly check your account statements and contact your financial institution in the event of irregularities.
Secret PIN code
Your PIN code is secret and should not under any circumstances be given to others (not even to employees at your financial institution or to the police), be kept with the card, or a note of it be made on the card. You should never enter your PIN code to open a door.
Choosing an easily guessable combination, such as a date of birth or car number plate, is not recommended for the PIN code. It is important that you memorise your PIN code. Using something to help you remember it can be helpful. For example, the individual digits can be entered on the basis of a specific pattern, a calculation or a story. An example story for PIN code 597121: I need 5 minutes to get to the tram station of line number 9, then I ride 7 minutes to my stop where there is 1 kebab stand with 2 employees and 1 boss.
Conceal your PIN code entry
Conceal your PIN code entry from prying eyes at all card-based machines. Hold one hand (or your wallet) above the other hand. Do not allow anybody to see you enter your PIN code.
No distractions
Do not allow yourself to be distracted when withdrawing money, paying or buying a ticket. Ask those who come too close to keep their distance. Do not allow yourself to engage in a conversation and do not accept any help from anybody known or unknown to you if, for example, your card is stuck in a card-based machine.
Take your gut instinct seriously
Follow your intuition at the card-based machine. If a card-based machine appears suspicious, or you have a strange feeling at the card-based machine because, for example, there are dubious people nearby, somebody speaks to you or somebody comes too close to you, abort the payment or withdrawal action and look for another machine.
Do not let your card out of your hand
Never let your card out of your hand – either to give to an assistant or to a service employee at the card-based machine. The card can be swapped as quick as a flash without you noticing.
Have the card blocked
Have the card blocked immediately if you suspect misuse. The same applies for theft, loss and retention of the card at the card-based machine. More information is available here.
Report your suspicions
If you suspect that a card-based machine has been manipulated, or have tangible reasons to believe this, inform the card-based machine operator. Outside office hours, contact the police on emergency number 117. This way you help to prevent further losses.
Card Control abroad
Card Control is defined as the restriction of card usage abroad. Most effective are the following measures:
Geoblocking / Geocontrol:
The card can only be used in selected countries.
Restrictions on the withdrawal limit:
The maximum withdrawal limit of the card is restricted.
Hybrid form:
The maximum withdrawal limit applies to certain selected countries.
Different financial institutions have their own measures for Card Control and also the selection of countries is not consistent. The choice of countries in which the card can be used is made either by the financial institution itself or by the client. Therefore customers are advised to contact their personal financial institution. Make use of this service.
Check account movements
Regularly check your account statements and contact your financial institution in the event of irregularities.
