Payment fraud on vacation – expert gives valuable tips for optimal protection
Summer vacations pose risks for payment fraud. An expert explains how you can protect yourself with targeted measures and modern technologies.
The holiday season increases the risk of payment fraud, as travelers are often careless. Criminals exploit this to obtain sensitive data such as credit card information or login credentials. Raúl Quintana del Val, Senior Product and Payments Leader at BBVA Europe, emphasizes that new technologies offer protection. He advises informing yourself about common fraud methods and taking security precautions for a more relaxed travel experience.
Fraudsters use various tricks to steal data:
- Phishing messages : Fake emails, text messages, or calls claiming to come from trusted sources. Watch out for spelling mistakes, unusual senders, or threatening messages.
- Tampered ATMs : Skimmers or keyloggers can steal card data and PINs. Check ATMs for suspicious devices.
- Insecure Wi-Fi networks : Avoid public networks for sensitive transactions, as fraudsters could intercept data.
- RFID skimming during contactless payments : Special devices can read card data. Use RFID-blocking wallets.
- Fake QR codes : These redirect to fraudulent websites or install malware. Only scan verified codes.
Quintana del Val explains that banks are using advanced technologies to protect customers. Cards without visible data reduce the risk of misuse. Dynamic CVV codes that change regularly secure online payments. Banking apps enable real-time monitoring, blocking cards in case of suspicion, and adjusting limits – essential for fraud protection.
The expert recommends using these technologies and precautions to travel worry-free. Stay alert and educate yourself about current fraud methods. These measures offer a high level of security for your finances abroad. Also, find out about the security situation at your destination, as some Mediterranean cities are considered risky.
A family from Saxony-Anhalt paid €2,300 for a nonexistent villa in Mallorca because scammers used stolen images. The owner was horrified, as the villa was never for rent, and warns of similar cases. A British family lost €4,000 in an Airbnb scam.
To avoid such fraud, you should carefully review offers. Check contact details, reviews, and images. Use secure payment methods and communicate only through trusted platforms.
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