Windsor police's financial crimes unit has been hard at work educating people on how to avoid scams, including those involving bank cards.
March is Fraud Prevention Month, and Windsor police have been doing their part to stop the evolving schemes designed to scam you out of your hard-earned money.
Fraud and theft involving credit cards and debit cards have remained a problem.
Windsor police have offered the following tips for residents.
Set up notifications for all transactions. This way, you can keep track of any activity on your debit or credit cards.
Regularly monitor your accounts.
Use card sleeves or specially equipped RFID-blocking wallets. These wallets make it less likely for your card number to be lifted by reading devices used by crooks, called "skimmers".
Consider mobile payment apps like Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay.
Contactless payment has become more of a way of life since the COVID-19 pandemic. Protect your card with your hand to prevent skimming devices from intercepting the transaction.
If your card gets lost or stolen, report it immediately to your credit card company and local law enforcement.
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre has provided a comprehensive list of strategies for people to protect themselves from criminals, and a list of common scams.
If you believe you have been a victim of fraud, immediately report it to Windsor police's financial crimes unit at (519) 255-6700, ext. 4330.