… the credit card was stolen/blocked and I can’t access the money?

First: Stay calm! Hyperventilating or running around the room like a mad chicken doesn’t make things any better. Even if you have two credit cards handy for a trip around the world, you should always have cash in euros, or better yet, dollars, as an emergency fund. This can tide you over for a while. DKB and Comdirect offer so-called “emergency funds.” The banks provide you with cash in this situation. DKB also has an “emergency credit card” that can be delivered abroad.

Regardless of the bank’s services, you have the option of transferring money through Western Union Bank. Anyone can deposit money at this bank, which can be picked up as cash in almost any country in the world.

Example: You’re currently in Thailand, your card has been blocked, and your cash reserves have been used up. Congratulations on this terrible situation! In any case, someone can deposit money at Western Union Bank. This can be done easily online by credit card or instant bank transfer. You can then pick up this amount in cash at a local Western Union Bank. Although “bank” is probably the wrong word in this context; they’re usually just small exchange offices. But these black and yellow offices can be found in almost every country or tourist destination. The fees for money transfers depend on the amount.

Western Union: Send money via Western Union.

…the card cannot be read

If you have this problem frequently, the magnetic stripe is probably damaged. You can try cleaning the stripe with a soft cloth. You also often read the tip to rub the magnetic stripe clean with an eraser (which doesn’t smear!). Definitely worth a try before getting a new card.

If you only have problems at one ATM, you should try other ATMs before getting a new card.

2. How card fraud works

Before we get to the security tips, we first need to know what we need to protect ourselves against. For this reason, it’s important to understand the fraudsters’ schemes. Since the inventiveness of such people seems endless, a list here would definitely go beyond the scope. But the goal is always the same: Stealing the card or card details and PIN.

The credit card or debit card is stolen

Sometimes it happens very quickly. If you’re not paying attention, your wallet is gone. Cards have even been stolen directly from ATMs using a diversionary tactic. The thief can then use the card in shops and restaurants. In some stores, the PIN doesn’t need to be entered; a simple signature is sufficient as authorization. The card can also be used online. Debit cards are particularly vulnerable! Unlike credit cards, debit cards don’t have a card limit, and they also list all the details for a necessary direct debit payment. Credit cards can only be used in online shops that do not use the new security standard called “3D Secure.” With this security standard, a PIN must be entered before completing a purchase. While this standard is being expanded daily in Germany, foreign online shops in particular often do not (yet) integrate it.

Card data is used for online purchases or to create card copies

It is significantly safer for fraudsters not to steal the original card in public, but simply to read the card data. This data can be used for online purchases or to create copies of the original card. To create a duplicate, fraudsters need the card data and, ideally, the PIN. This can be done primarily via two methods:

a) Stealing card data via an unsafe online shop

During the payment process, you enter all relevant card data, so fraudsters are keen to access this data. However, the data is not generally at risk! Only if the payment details are transmitted over an unsafe connection. You can see whether this is the case in the top left corner next to the address bar. A green lock should always (!) be visible there for online transactions. This is the only way your data is transmitted encrypted, making it useless to third parties. Otherwise, the stolen data can only be used to make online purchases. Without a PIN, money cannot be withdrawn.

This is what every online shop should look like. A green lock symbolizes a secure connection. Online shops that don’t have a green lock are potentially unsafe.

b) Stealing card data via manipulated devices

Card data is always stored on the magnetic stripe of debit cards. But how is this data read unnoticed? Quite simply: either at a manipulated ATM or, when making a card payment, at a manipulated terminal.

On manipulated ATMs, a small reader is installed in front of or in the card slot. The PIN is either recorded by a small camera or intercepted via a second PIN entry keypad located on top of the main keypad. Recently, even the ATM network can be tapped. With every withdrawal, the ATM exchanges relevant data via the bank’s or credit card provider’s network. Card details are also transmitted in the process. This data can now be intercepted. This is particularly easy if the ATM communicates with the network via (poorly protected) Wi-Fi. You’ll learn how to protect yourself against this in the next chapter.

However, the data can also be copied during a card payment. While criminals in Germany tend to target ATMs, card terminals abroad are sometimes tampered with (this looks like a Men Place Card Skimmer). The cards can also be read in restaurants and shops. For example, if you give your card to a waiter at the table and have no insight into the actual payment process at the cash register.

Using the card data obtained in this way, the criminals make copies of the card, which they then charge at ATMs abroad. In the future, this fraudulent activity will be made more difficult by an EMV chip. This chip is intended to replace the insecure magnetic stripe. This security procedure is already in use in Germany, which is why the copied cards can only be used abroad. Nevertheless, the new cards also have a magnetic stripe, because this is still required, especially abroad. And as long as cards are equipped with an insecure magnetic stripe (and this will continue to be the case for a very, very long time), debit and credit cards are at risk.

Interesting: How the technology behind ATM skimming works (English):
Trustfoundry.net – Manipulated ATM discovered: How does the technology behind it work? With this article, we do not intend to stir up fears; we simply want to raise awareness about card misuse. This topic is not only aimed at credit card holders, but also at holders of conventional debit cards. You can read how to best protect yourself against card fraud in the following chapter.

12. Security tips for credit cards (and debit cards)

To make it more difficult for fraudsters, you should heed the following points:

• Always keep your cards in a safe place and never together with your PIN.
• No safe in your room? It’s better to take your cards with you and carry them close to your body.
• Never carry your wallet in your back pocket. Ideally, keep it in a separate bag/wallet.
• Use the card as infrequently as possible and only as often as necessary.
• Be sure to shield the number pad when entering your PIN.
• Never allow yourself to be distracted or drawn into a conversation while using the card.
• Never accept help from strangers, especially if something seems strange to you.
• Never let your card out of your sight, even when paying in shops and restaurants.
• If possible, only use ATMs in banks (ideally only during opening hours).
• Never use freestanding ATMs (freestanding = not built into a wall).
• Check ATMs for tampering. Shake and pull firmly on the card slot and keypad.
• Regularly check account transactions and credit card statements.
• Don’t choose a credit card limit that’s too high; instead, top it up with credit.
• Don’t conduct online transactions using Wi-Fi in cafes, restaurants, or airports.
• Notify your bank about your stay abroad.
• Provide your bank with your phone number. They will contact you if there are any discrepancies.
• Write down the blocking number in case of an emergency (116 116 – abroad: 0049 166 166).
• When making online purchases, look for the green lock symbol next to the address bar.

Every online shop should have this. A green lock symbolizes a secure connection. Online shops that don’t have a green lock are potentially unsafe.