It smells like Christmas bonus! But the threats around you could leave you without a single colon.
These tips, from MasterCard and the Bank of Costa Rica, will help you keep your personal and financial information safe.
Create powerful passwords:
-Strong passwords are complex. Use uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols.
-Change your password at least once a year.
-Use different passwords for different purposes and make sure you have the necessary means to retrieve them, such as a separate email account.
Shop at recognized retailers.
-Buy only through trusted sites, especially if you do it on the net.
Keep track of your cards
-If you can use a chip card, change it. Benefits include reducing fraud and safer transactions.
Check your purchases
-When checking your card record, you will know if any unauthorized purchases have been processed.
-If you notice unusual or unauthorized purchases, contact your bank immediately.
-The customer service number always appears on the back of your credit or debit card.
Stay away from scams
-Do not open links or attachments in emails that come from unknown sources.
-Do not share your credit card information or personal information (passwords, date of birth, social security number) through phone calls, emails, text messages or social networks that you have not requested.
-If you provided your credit card information and then it seems suspicious, contact your bank.
-A reputable bank or payment network will never call you directly to ask for your personal information.
For your safety:
-Do not carry large amounts of money: avoid paying in cash.
-If you go to the bank, if possible, be accompanied with someone that you absolutely trust.
-Do not start conversations or accept business from strangers who may be at the entrances to buildings or outside ATMs.
-If you notice any suspicious person or behavior, do not hesitate to tell the security officer or the person who helps you at the bank.
-If you visit the Bank regularly, do not use the same route.
-Please! Do not count your money on the street, except when you leave the cashier.
-Do not hand over money or important objects to people who come near you by saying that they are Bank officials while you are standing in line.