How can I limit the risk of fraud on my bank card?

Use what? 3D Secure payments, a system that checks the three parties involved in a purchase: the buyer, the seller and the bank. No system is more secure that this one. The purpose of this triple check is to limit the risk of fraud or piracy and to ensure that the person making the payment is legitimate.

It sounds simple but it's not always! No one can ask you for your secret code by phone or email. So beware when you are contacted by email, phone or text by a so-called trusted institution asking you to provide personal identification information, bank details or passwords! This is phishing organised by networks of fraudsters.

Today, most bank cards incorporate technology to transmit data remotely for contactless payments... but this makes our cards more vulnerable. A good way to protect yourself is to use a wallet or a card protector that blocks this technology. These accessories contain a carbon fibre or metal layer that prevents electromagnetic fields from reaching your bank cards. Remember to use these accessories in high traffic areas such as public transport!

When entering bank details, make sure the site has a 'https' protocol and a padlock icon to the left of the domain name. The idea is to have certain guarantees that data sent from this website cannot be intercepted and used by third parties. Other elements are also good indicators to look out for, such as the general terms and conditions of sale (GT&Cs) and the legal notices. This information is mandatory on an e-commerce site as it tells you who is behind the site and can therefore be useful in case of scam attempts.

Today, free public wifi is easily accessible, whether in a café, hotel, shopping centre or airport. However, using a shared wifi network presents several risks if you are shopping online.

To limit them, you can use what is called a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

A VPN strengthens your privacy and therefore your online security. It will prevent third parties from spying on your Internet activity and significantly increases the security of your online payments.

In short, some small, simple gestures that avoid big problems!

Find advice and practical information on how to manage your finances efficiently and find inspiration to give shape to all your projects at www.ing.lu/mymoney.