Biker Saga

Monday, October 12, 2015

7 Ways to Avoid Credit Card Fraud

Credit cards secured with a padlock - © Glow Images / Getty

1. Keep your credit cards safe.

Keep your credit cards in a purse or wallet close to your body where it can't easily be snatched away. Ladies, make sure your purse is zipped. If you're shopping in a high traffic area, carry a smaller purse. For both men and women, carry only the one or two credit and debit cards you'll be using that day. Leave all your other credit cards at home.

Thieves can take pictures of your credit card with a camera or cell phone, so don't leave your credit card exposed any longer than necessary.

After you make a purchase put your credit card away immediately. Confirm you have your credit card back in your possession before you leave the store or restaurant.

2. Shred anything with your credit card number on it.

Rather than toss your credit card billing statements directly into the trash, shred them to keep dumpster divers from getting their hands on your credit card number. The same thing applies to old credit cards that have expired or been cancelled. You might even put the shredded pieces in different trash bags to thwart clever thieves who can put shredded pages back together.

3. Don't sign blank credit card receipts.

To avoid credit card fraud, always verify the amount on your credit card receipt before signing it. If you get a credit card receipt that has blank spaces in it, write $0 in those spaces or draw through them before putting your signature on the card. Otherwise, the cashier could write in an amount and send the purchase to your credit card issuer.

4. Avoid giving out your credit card information.

Only give out your credit card number or other sensitive information on calls you initiate to customer service using the number on the back of your credit card. Don't return calls to a phone number left on your answering machine and don't give your credit card number to anyone who calls you requesting the number. Credit card thieves have been known to pose as credit card issuers and other businesses to trick you into giving out your credit card number.

5. Be safe with your credit card online.

Don't click on email links from anyone pretending to be your bank, credit card company, or other business who uses your personal information, even if the email looks legitimate. These links are often phishing scams and the scammers want to trick you into entering your login information on their fake website.

Make sure you're cautious when you're using your credit card online. Only enter your credit card number on secure websites that you can be 100% sure are legitimate. To be sure a website is secure, look for a lock in the lower right corner of your internet browser.

6. Report lost or stolen credit cards immediately.

The sooner you report a missing credit card the less likely it is that you'll have to pay for any fraudulent charges made on your credit card. Write down your credit card companies' customer service number now so you'll have it if your credit card is ever missing.

7. Review your billing statements each month.

Unauthorized charges on your credit card are the first indicator of credit card fraud. If you notice a charge you didn't make, no matter how small, report the charge to your credit card issuer immediately. Your credit card issuer will tell you whether you should close your account to avoid credit card fraud.

5 ways to protect yourself from credit card fraud at gas stations

Consumers typically worry about credit card fraud when making purchases online or conducting ATM transactions, but over the past few years, fraudulent credit card activity has taken the form of gas station scams that use technology to victimize patrons.

According to the FTC’s 2011 Sentinel Network Data Book, which reports on consumer complaints, credit card fraud was ranked second among the highest and most prevalent complaints. Despite the fact that gas stations have been on thieves’ radars for quite some time, many consumers still fail to recognize the tell-tale signs of gas station credit card fraud at the pump.

I, too, learned the hard way as I fell victim to gas station credit card skimming a few years ago. It occurred at the Shell gas station I regularly visited, just one block from my home. Fortunately, I happened to check my account balance the very next morning, only to find a second unauthorized Shell transaction for about $7 at a gas station 50 miles away from my home.

It’s moments like these that frighten consumers into avoiding credit card use altogether. But by practicing a short ritual of security measures before swiping a credit card at the gas pump, you can safeguard sensitive card information.

1. Look for Tamper-Evident Stickers

Criminals usually infiltrate credit card mechanisms through the front panel of gas pumps. They implant devices internally, which then capture the credit card information from within once customers swipe their cards.

What to look for: Survey the gas pump’s edges — especially the hatch surrounding the credit card unit. If it looks battered as if someone tried to pry it open or if the lock itself is broken, it might be compromised. Some gas stations, like Shell stations, apply a tamper-proof seal across the opening of the credit card door. When a door is broken into, the sticker is lifted revealing the words “VOID” on the sticker.

I went back to the pump I’d used the night before my credit card information was stolen to investigate whether it really did have the sticker in place. There it was — displaying the word “void.” In fact, all the pumps had their seals tampered with. I haven’t gone back to that station since.

What to do: Before using a gas pump, find out whether the pump has a tamper-evident sticker. If it has one that is placed on the unit correctly (i.e., across the opening of the door) and it reads void, move on to the next pump or station.

Instead of informing the gas attendant (many only offer a look of confusion or annoyance), contact the local authorities to report the gas station scams in the area. This will hopefully get an investigation started if enough reports of gas station credit card fraud are forwarded.

2. Beware of Gas Station Credit Card Skimmers

Gas station credit card skimmers are external devices thieves attach over a real credit card slot at a gas station pump. As customers swipe their cards into the skimmer, the device saves and stores card information immediately.

What to look for: If a credit card slot looks different from the other card readers at the station, it might be a setup for gas station credit card skimming fraud.

What to do: Skimming devices are meant to be placed temporarily for a matter of hours or just a day. For that reason, they are attached using only double-sided tape, so thieves can easily remove them. Before sliding a credit card through the machine, tug on the reader to ensure it is on securely; skimmers will easily pop off with mild effort.

Contact the police to file a police report if a credit card skimmer is found — this is a necessary step so that the device can be placed safely in the hands of authorities.

3. Block View of Pinhole Cameras

These inconspicuous cameras are so small that cardholders really have to be paying attention to spot them. They are sometimes used in conjunction with credit card skimmers to capture footage of customers entering their PIN numbers. With this added information, criminals can withdraw funds directly from bank accounts, as well as make fraudulent credit card purchases.

What to look for: Again, search for anything on the face of the gas pump that looks unique compared to the other pumps. Pinhole cameras are often situated above the keypad area.

What to do: For extra precaution, use two hands when paying for gas at the pump. Use one hand for the transaction, and place the other above the credit card screen to shield the keypad from view of lurking cameras above.

4. Beware of Electronic Pickpockets

Possibly one of the most dangerous tactics implemented to steal credit card information is the use of electronic pickpocketing devices. These are attached to laptops that criminals conceal discreetly in laptop sleeves while walking past their victims. No contact is needed for the device to scan credit cards — thieves only need to be a few inches away.

What to look for: Cardholders susceptible to this kind of gas station credit card fraud are those with a radio frequency ID (RFID) chip implanted in their cards. Some names for these credit cards include PayPass or Blink, and allow customers the convenience of tapping their cards to make a purchase, instead of swiping them.

What to do: Some banks like Chase, who refer to their RFID cards as Blink, have already started to phase this feature out. However, those who still own a RFID-capable card can do two things to protect themselves:

Be wary of anyone who walks too closely to you at the pump; remain aware of your surroundings and electronic devices that might be in others’ hands.
Wrap your RFID cards in aluminum foil. It sounds funny, but it’s proven more effective in protecting credit card information than expensive $60 RFID-specific wallets on the market, according to Consumer Reports.

5. When in Doubt, Use Cash

While credit cards lend convenience, if a situation just doesn’t feel right, go with your instincts and just use cash. It saves the hassle of disputing a credit card charge in the future and eliminates the risk of putting yourself at risk of long-term credit damage.

If cash isn’t a possibility, cardholders also have the option of handling the transaction with the gas station attendant. However, customers still take on a small risk, as there is no guarantee that the employee isn’t using a credit card skimmer behind the counter.

These days, I never swipe my credit card without implementing my gas pump checklist. I might look wacky, but it’s this level of awareness and common sense that can actively prevent gas station scams from making me a two-time victim.

Do Viagra like medicines have side effects? (Sex query)

Q: I am a 27-year-old and sometimes take to please my girlfriend. Is it harmful for my health? What about my future sex life? Will I always have to take them?

All the different tablets mentioned here have the same chemical composition – Manforce and Pengra are actually the desi versions ofViagra, which in turn is the brand name of the generic drug sildenafil. In countries like the US or UK, the drug is only available through prescription but lax laws in India means that it can be easily purchased over-the-counter. One thing you’ve to clearly understand is that Viagra is a drug to beat erectile dysfunction and it’s not an aphrodisiac or libido booster. In simple words, it will only give you an erect penis when you’re aroused. Now the drug is most commonly used by people in their 50s and 60s, those at an age where there heart finds it hard to pump enough blood to the penis to maintain an erection.

However, recent studies have shown that the recreational use of Viagra has gone up among youngsters. Most doctors recommend that the drug shouldn’t be used like this because one’s body can get dependent on it and you could reach a phase where you will find it hard to get hard without the drug. There are other harmful effects as well. You shouldn’t take the drug if you are taking other medicines which contain nitrates. These are usually used to treat chest pain,hypertension and other such ailments. Some of the other common side-effects are facial flushing, headaches, liver problems, heart attacks (rarely), blurred vision, bluish vision and sensitivity to light.

The most infamous side-effect though is erections which last for four or more hours. Sometimes these erections can be extremely painful as well. If you experience that you should call a physician and visit a hospital immediately. In conclusion you should definitely stop using these drugs; they are not for recreational use or to show off your sexual prowess but an aid for men really suffering from a problem. Read more about kegel exercises that can help you beat erectile dysfunction.

Click on the picture below to view photos on – 8 things you didn’t know about Viagra.

Image source: Getty Images

Erectile dysfunction: Viagra and other oral medications

Oral medications are often the first line of treatment for erectile dysfunction. For most men who have trouble keeping an erection firm enough for sex (erectile dysfunction), these medications work well and cause few side effects.

Sildenafil (Viagra), vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn), tadalafil (Cialis) and avanafil (Stendra) are oral medications that reverse erectile dysfunction by enhancing the effects of nitric oxide, a natural chemical your body produces that relaxes muscles in the penis. This increases blood flow and allows you to get an erection in response to sexual stimulation.

How oral medications differ

Although they work in similar ways, each oral medication has a slightly different chemical makeup. These minor differences affect the way each medication works, such as how quickly it takes effect and wears off, and the potential side effects. Your doctor will consider these factors as well as any health problems you have and possible interactions with other medications you take.

Sildenafil (Viagra). This medication is most effective when taken on an empty stomach one hour before sex. It's effective for up to six hours.
Vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn). This medication also is most effective when taken one hour before sex and can be taken with or without food. It's effective for up to seven hours.
Tadalafil (Cialis). This medication is taken with or without food about one to two hours before sex. It's effective for 36 hours. It can be taken in a small dose daily or in a larger dose as needed.
Avanafil (Stendra). This medication is taken with or without food 15 to 30 minutes before sex, depending on the dose. It lasts up to six hours.

When oral medications might not be safe

Before taking any medication for erectile dysfunction, get your doctor's OK. Medications for erectile dysfunction might not work or might be dangerous if you:

Take nitrate drugs — commonly prescribed for chest pain (angina) — such as nitroglycerin (Minitran, Nitro-Dur, Nitrostat, others), isosorbide mononitrate (Monoket) and isosorbide dinitrate (Dilatrate-SR, Isordil)
Have very low blood pressure (hypotension) or uncontrolled high blood pressure (hypertension)
Have severe liver disease
Have kidney disease that requires dialysis

Viagra and its side-effects

If you think Viagra and other erectile drugs are passport to satisfying sexual encounters, think again. Dr Mahinder Watsa warns you of their side-effects.

It's a growing phenomenon to find all health related issues being prescribed a pill. Common cold, a mild headache, to generally feeling down and out, everything comes with a pill to snap you out of it. Sex then, is no exception. Increasingly, we find young men, with no apparent major sexual problem, taking to drugs meant to help the ones suffering from erectile dysfunction. To make matters worse, hardly anyone realise the adverse repercussions of such self-medication. A temporary boost in their sexual performance, may land their long-term wellness in jeopardy.

The larger picture
The fast food generation is slowly forgetting the art of love and depend excessively on easily available drugs to whip-up their flagging sex life. Scientists may credit Sildenafil as 'the magic bullet to help couples have deeper and more satisfying sexual encounters.' But the truth is, the drug doesn't cause an automatic erection. For it to be effective, mental and tactile stimulation and foreplay engagement is required.

Ask the pro
Vatsayana of the Kamasutra fame has suggested many ways to stimulate desire and performance for sexual happiness. He was innovative enough to come up with seven different ways of kissing, eight varieties of touch, four methods of stroking the body and eight sounds that may be emitted during sex and foreplay.

How can drugs, meant to delay ejaculation or correct erectile dysfunction, replace the bond that lovers feel when they touch, kiss, cuddle and care for each other?

Blame your priorities
A survey among youngsters revealed an interesting facet. In terms of priorities, a good career was ranked the highest (by almost 60 per cent), followed by social service (18 per cent) and then a happy marriage (13 per cent). If your priorities are lopsided how do you expect to be sexually satisfied? Sex and love aren't water-tight compartments in a marriage. One aspect invariably affects the other. If you don't make time for your lover, how do you expect to sexually and emotionally connect?

The risk
While overuse of any drug always comes with risks or side-effects, an over usage of Sildenafil can lead to a series of serious sideeffects such as addiction to the drug, headache and dizziness.

Image makeover
People still rely on the cliched 'macho' image, with many men behaving as if their brains are located below their belts. Many mistakenly believe that if they take a tablet, they will perform better. Just one failure at sexual intercourse (which is a perfectly normal occurrence) may land them in wrongly using an erectile dysfunction drug. If they improve their lifestyle, get rid of misconceptions, modify priorities and work on their attitude, chances are that they would never require such drugs.

The real reason
To be sexually happy, one needn't join the 'Erectile Dysfunction' club. One of the following could be your reasons for the occasional non-performance:

- Overeating and being obese

- Alcohol, smoke or drug abuse

- Guilt of an extramarital relationship

- Pressure to perform with an extramarital partner

- Overwork

- Anxiety and tension

- Lack of exercise

- Problems in your sex life can also be side-effects to certain illnesses and disorders. In such cases, relying on erectile drugs can only make matters worse. In many cases, diabetes or cardiac problems are discovered when the person complains of 'sexual problems'.

- At times, drugs that are meant to correct disorders, disrupt normal sexual functioning leading to dysfunction issues. For instance, diuretics, anti-hypertensives and anti-convulsants, etc are known to have adverse effects on one's sex life. As awareness grows, physicians are now being carefulduring the prescription stage itself. Various studies are being carried out to study the relationship between these drugs and one's sex life.

When it's actually needed
Erectile dysfunction drugs may be required temporarily to regenerate interest. The inability to get a good erection in a young man causes unnecessary anxiety and tension and can even lead to suicide in extreme cases. The only instance where erectile drugs are useful (among normal adults) is to restore their confidence and show them they 'can' get an erection. No amount of drugs can help the couple to achieve sexual happiness. The key lies in solving interpersonal differences, believing in equal partnership and caring for each other's wishes.