Happy Friday Friends! This week, I had the opportunity to be interviewed by KHON2 News regarding the recently reported suspicious network activity that disrupted card payments at Times Supermarket, Don Quijote, and Marukai. Pan Pacific Retail Management, the parent company of these stores, confirmed the detection of unusual activity on their systems. In response, they acted swiftly to secure the network and initiated a thorough investigation into the incident.
The Takeaway
Unfortunately, this won’t be the last time your credit card could be targeted by cybercriminals. During the segment, I shared tips on how to protect yourself from fraud when incidents like these happen—whether a retailer gets hacked or a card is skimmed (check out our previous segments on card skimming here:How to Spot a Skimmer and What We Can Learn from a Cyberattack on Hawaii's Vulnerable Residents).
Here are three simple habits you can start today to reduce your risk of retail fraud: 1. Always tap your card.
Card skimmers—thin devices placed over card reader slots—have been found on ATMs, gas pumps, and supermarket checkout terminals. These skimmers are often 3D-printed to blend in perfectly with the machine, and once you swipe your card, your information can be stolen. The best way to protect yourself? Use tap-to-pay when available. Since tapping bypasses the card reader slot, your card data stays secure, even if the machine is compromised.
2. Use a credit card, not a debit card.
Credit cards offer stronger consumer protections than debit (ATM) cards. With a debit card, money is taken from your account immediately, and it can take days or even weeks to recover lost funds if your card is compromised. Credit cards, on the other hand, give you time to dispute charges before your money is affected. If you don’t have a credit card, use the Visa or Mastercard option on your debit card (look for the logo) and avoid entering your PIN at checkout.
3. Take advantage of free credit monitoring services.
Many credit card companies, like CapitalOne and Citibank, offer free credit monitoring to their customers. You can also check with your bank for similar services. If these options aren’t available to you, there are free and affordable tools like Credit Karma, Rocket Money, and Nerd Wallet that can help you monitor your credit and manage your finances.
Cybercriminals often target large organizations like retailers, banks, and insurance companies because of the valuable data they hold. That’s why it’s crucial for us to stay on top of our finances, credit, and overall digital security.
Stay safe out there. -Attila
PS. If you think that this email might be helpful to a friend, family member, client or co-worker, feel free to pass it along. Always a pleasure to be of service to you and the community.
New Friday Funnies
Two fish are in a tank. One turns to the other and says,
“Any idea how to drive this thing?”
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