The state’s Division of Consumer Protection said scammers have been phishing through emails for EMV credit card account information.
April 29, 2016
ALBANY – The New York State Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection (DCP) has issued an alert to consumers about potential fraud associated with EMV chip cards.
Although EMV chip cards offer better security than traditional magnetic strip credit cards, chip cards are still vulnerable to fraud. EMV cards that require a PIN to be entered at the point of sale to make a purchase are the most secure. NACS has been aggressively pushing for PIN with credit card transactions (see PrivatePIN.com).
In a new phishing scam involving EMV cards, scammers, pretending to be credit card issuers, are sending fake emails targeting individuals who haven’t yet received their new EMV cards. The emails claim that that in order to issue a new card you need to update your account by providing personal information or clicking on a link to continue the process. By clicking on the link, malware can be installed on your computer or mobile device.
The DCP offers the following tips for chip card users to protect themselves:
Activate and sign the EMV card as soon as you receive it in the mail.
For debit cards, protect the PIN; shield the keypad when entering a PIN.
Don’t respond to an email or phone call that asks fora card number or other personal information to receive an EMV card. There is no reason a card issuer needs to contact a customer by email or by phone to confirm personal information before sending a new card.
Don’t trust links in unsolicited emails. Check bank and credit card statements regularly for suspicious activity or other signs of fraud. Be sure to look for small charges, which may indicate a criminal checking to see whether an account is still active.