Published: Oct 15, 2010 – Edit this

#1 Phone Fraud. The phone rings, a scammer poses as your banks fraud department. They may have your entire card number stolen from another source. They ask about a charge made and you deny the charge, but in order for the charge to be removed, they need your 3-4 digits CVV number off the front or back of the card. A variation may be they only have the last 4 digits found on a receipt or statement you threw away. They can also use the same ruse to get the full 16 digits from you.

#2 Clever Clerk. You hand your card to a sales clerk, waiter or waitress and they have a card reading wedge device that looks like this. The device may be wrapped around a band on their ankle. They bend over and make it look like they are fixing a sock, once they swipe the card through, they can make charges on your card.

#3 The Loop. You’re at an ATM that isn’t cooperating. Some nice guy injects himself into the scene to help you. During the process he watches you enter your pin. After another attempt the ATM eats your card. After you leave all upset, he pulls the card from the ATMs card slot using a loop of VHS tape he jammed inside the machine.

#4 Risky Retailer. When searching for something on the web you come across a website with a great deal. In the process of ordering they inform you a discount is available along with a free trial of another product. Thinking you just made out on the deal you take the bait. Next thing you know your card is charged every month and the company makes it very difficult to cancel the charges.

#5 Cell Snap. While buying something at a store you swipe your card through the point of sale terminal. If you are using a debit card you also need to punch your PIN into the keypad. The guy one or two people behind you filmed the entire transaction including your PIN on his mobile phone.

Robert Siciliano personal security expert to Home Security Source discussing Home Invasions on Montel Williams. Disclosures