GLOSSARY
When shopping by mail order or telephone using your payment card; remember:
- Protect your card information – never leave your card or card details lying around, never let anyone else use your card, and never send the retailer a copy of the front or back of your card.
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Know who you are dealing with – do research on the retailer.
Do you know their contact phone number (not just a mobile phone number)
and their physical postal address (not just a post office PO Box number)?
If you are not familiar with a retailer try to find out more about them before undertaking a transaction. - Cold Callers – don’t give your card number over the telephone to “cold” callers under any circumstances. Only make telephone transactions when you have instigated the call and are familiar with the company.
- Never divulge your PIN number – never tell or write down your PIN number to anyone requesting it. If anyone asks for your PIN, even if they claim they are from the bank, building society or the police – they are a fraudster.
- Be prepared – have your card in front of you. The retailer may ask you for information including the card number, the expiry date, the three or four digit card security code, the issue number (where applicable) and your name as it appears on your card.
- Payment Instruction – always ask the retailer to confirm the full price that is being charged to your card, including any booking fee, delivery charges etc. Make a note of this amount at the time of the call.
- Confirmation – if the retailer sends you written confirmation of the order, check the bill to ensure that it is correct. Keep any such receipts, so you check them off against your next bank statement.
- Delivery Date – keep a note of when the goods or services are due / expected to be received. If the items are not received on time, contact the retailer in the first instance and attempt to resolve the issue directly with them. If the purchase amount has already been debited to your card or bank account, contact your card issuing bank for advice.
- Keep a record of the order – including the retailer’s contact information (address and telephone) and details of the goods/services being purchased. Make a note of the full price that is being charged to your card, including any booking fee, delivery charges etc.
- Check your statements – check statements from your bank or building society carefully, as soon as you receive them. Raise any discrepancies with the retailer concerned in the first instance. Contact your bank or building society if the matter is not resolved to your satisfaction. If you find any transactions on your card or bank statement that you are certain you did not make, contact your bank or building society immediately. You may be asked to sign a disclaimer confirming that you did not undertake the transaction.
