Security tips for credit cards

Recommendations for online shopping:

• Read the reviews (e.g., Google reviews or reviews on Trustpilot) before you buy from an online store.
• Always enter the Internet address (URL) directly in the browser’s address line instead of clicking links. Fake websites with top offers are often sponsored for a short time as advertising and appear at the top of Google searches.
• Reputable online stores and websites only transmit your data in encrypted form. Look for the lock symbol in the Internet browser’s address line.
• Commercial websites in Switzerland are required to include a legal notice (Impressum) if they are selling goods and services. The name and address of the company as well as contact details (telephone number, email address) must be provided. Do not trust a web shop without a legal notice.

Be vigilant with:

Messages that you receive unsolicited or from unknown senders:

• Do not click on links in messages.
• Do not confirm data to verify accounts and credit cards.
• Don’t let yourself be pressured by deadlines or consequences.
• If you receive an SMS with a code (mTAN) but have not ordered it yourself, please contact our customer service immediately.
• Check the spelling. Phishing mails and SMS are often translated by programs and contain errors.
• Check the sender. Spoofing: The sender’s email address may appear reliable at first glance, but if the actual address is checked (depending on the email program, “expand” or “forward mail” to see the details), it becomes clear that it is not a trustworthy sender.

Offers that seem extraordinarily good:

• Websites with heavily discounted branded goods or goods that are actually sold out
• Competition prizes of any kind
• Above-average returns on investment Bargains that are almost too good to be true? Perhaps the last item on offer and for a short time only? Watch out! 

Requests to make advance payments:

• Do not pay any fees, insurance, transportation costs, guarantees or similar for the sale of your goods.

Unauthorized access or remote maintenance of your devices:

• Do not allow anyone to maintain your computer remotely.
• Fraudsters pretend to be fighting fraud under false pretenses, for example, they are from the police or Microsoft, and then try to steal your data and information using remote maintenance programs such as AnyDesk.

Contact the person or company before making a payment:

• Verify the authenticity of a request via another channel or a known number.
• Requests from companies to repeat your payment may be fake.
• Contact from your acquaintances using new numbers or email addresses with payment requests may originate from fraudsters.