From January to May this year, more than 476,000 plastic credit cards were issued in the country. This implies the responsibility of the card holder to use it responsibly and safely.

In recent days it has emerged that there are people who run companies that criminals contact to collect card details in exchange for cash.

This new technique is complemented by the use of other common methods such as skimming. According to the Banco Pichincha portal, it is a type of fraud that consists in accessing information about the payment method via a magnetic stripe.

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Although it can happen at ATMs and points of sale, it requires a device that captures and transmits information, known as skimmer.

This is why several security experts advise people not to lose sight of their cards when they go to the business premises, and why it is always recommended that the payment be made in front of the customer using the device. Some cards already have a mechanism contactless, where only the card is presented to the device when paying.

In addition, the client must also keep an eye on the movements in his account to detect any irregular situation. Otherwise, each bank communicates with its client via SMS (message on a mobile phone) or via an e-mail address registered in the bank. Therefore, there are several indicators to monitor the movement of plastic.

When this situation occurs, you must contact your financial institution to block the card so that it can no longer be used, and file a report with the prosecutor’s office, as this offense is punishable by one to three years in prison.

At the bank, you must also follow the procedure for refunding or canceling transactions after your investigation You can contact the consumer ombudsman which appears as an intermediary with the entity.