HP Police warns citizens on use of credit/debit cards for int’l transactions

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As cyber fraudsters are making international transactions using the data of unsuspecting citizens, the Himachal Pradesh Police has issued warning on use of credit/debit cards for international transactions or shopping.

State Cyber Crime incharge and Deputy Superintendent of Police Narvir Singh Rathour said ‘now-a-days, we are receiving lot of complaint from general public about the fraud committed in international transaction or shopping.

“Indian credit card users are getting defrauded by cyber criminals as purchases are being made on their cards in foreign countries and most of the times, they are unaware of these transactions,” Singh said.

He said the reason for customer being unaware of such transactions is that they don’t get OTP (One Time Password) when the fraudsters make such purchases.

“Generally, when customer makes any transaction in domestic shopping money gateway, these websites uses OTP number and the transaction is completed when the customer confirms it. But in international transactions or shopping, the customers don’t get any OTP, resulting in the customer becoming a victim of such frauds,” he said.

The customers can avoid such international transaction or shopping by disabling their credit/debit Cards for international transactions,” he said, adding for this, one should call on the toll free number mention on debit/credit card.

Further, the facility can be stopped by using internet banking facilities. In addition, the Reserve Bank of India has also issued guidelines to all bankers that all new debit/credit cards issued by banks should be allowed for usage in India only.

“But a customer wants to use his card for international transactions or usage, he should have a debit/credit card with EMV ship with enabled pin,” Singh said, adding in addition, the banks should also put a threshold limit on international usage beyond which users will not be able to spent.

He urged the customers to make changes in debit or credit card facilities accordingly to curb such cyber frauds and transact safely online.