Protect your Online Transactions

Fri, 04/04/2008 - 17:11 by Anonymous

Protect your Online Transactions

I had to order a new check card after mine was lost last fall. Since it was a crazy time in my life, the last thing I was thinking about when I ordered a new card was making sure that I enrolled my new check card in Verified by VISA.

If you’re not familiar with Verified by Visa it is a way for you to add an extra layer of security for transactions that you do online. You can set up an additional password for all your VISA check cards and credit cards. The list of merchants that accept this additional layer of security can be found here.

You may say, "I don't need any additional security because I don't use my card online." It is important to remember that just because you do not use your card online doesn't mean that someone else won't try using your card number online.

Earlier this week, my card number was compromised and the person using my card checked to see if my card had been set up for Verified by VISA. Since it had not been set up the thief was able to set up a Verified by VISA password for me and that enabled him or her to be able to use my card online, and make it appear that these transactions were done by me.

Fortunately, Allegiance Credit Union monitors suspicious looking activity very closely. My card was automatically blocked, and I received a personal phone call before the transactions had even posted on my account.

I know many members are like me, and may not be thinking about registering with Verified by VISA when they first get a new card. You can be sure I’m registering my new card with Verified by VISA! Is your card registered? Click here to check and see.