How "secure" is the "common man"?

It was a nice day as every other day. The only thing troubling me was I had to make some urgent calls and my balance ran out. As expected I rushed to the nearest top-up vending machine. A note posted outside said “out-of-service”.

Well to give you a brief about the place I live in a small town (if I can call it that) near London where one has to literally “work” to get even his/her daily needs stuff. As it happens I stay in the campus and there is just one top-up vending machine which was “broke” as of now. The nearest cash top-up is around 2-3 miles down to the town centre. Walking 5 miles to get a top-up would have been the last thing I could have imagined.

I called up customer care & they registered me for the web services. As I reached my room, my ever so helpful neighbour said “try the online top-up”. I wasn’t keen on using internet for a five pound top up but I did proceed anyway. I opened the nice looking “3” website & proceeded straightaway to the “My 3” account. As I tried to log in, the website displayed “username & password details incorrect”, I tried again & again & again but the password just didn’t seem to work! Just bear in mind the password was generated within last 30 minutes!

I was exhausted trying & re-trying but no success. I called “3” and told them about the event. The gentleman on the phone said “the site has been experiencing issues for the past few days/weeks & you won’t be able to access the “My3” account.” (WTF, I just got the password 30 min back!!), I asked him the solution. He said he would register the credentials for me. I was happy & confused by what he meant. The guy asked all my security passwords – digits of my SIM, “My3” access password, date of birth etc. I was getting clumsy to give him all those details but having taken the plunge I had no other option & it was supposed to be a “safe” way (after all 3 is a renown mobile operator).

Everything was OK till the time he said, “Sir, please give me your Debit/Credit card details”. I was just numb for a moment, yes the guy was being helpful but should I trust anyone with such details? I was in two minds, I wanted to put down the phone saying “Thank You” but I wanted the top-up & walking 5 miles in such a snowy weather just didn’t seem fine. I knew before proceeding that I will never be able to “trust” this particular card again but I did go ahead anyway. I was asked for the card details, expiry date & security number. By the time I had given all these details I was 100% sure- I will never ever use this card to keep my money in anymore.

Yes! I did get the top up within 2 hours & I also got twice the number of free texts, as promised. But I was left with questions running in my mind:

• Why did “3” mobile not have it is website in place? Even the “not-so-good” mobile companies have “working” websites.

• What security controls has “3” in place so that “card details” aren’t misplaced from the agents end?

• What if my card details are used for scrupulous activities? Who should I blame?

• Yes, I won’t use that card anymore (it’s a debit card so I know what is in/out anyway) but what about the customers who give away their credit card details?

• Should I give away my card details to anyone at all over the phone or website?

I thought about the whole scenario & came to the conclusion that:

• Only if I had put in a little effort & went to the shop, I wouldn’t have to bother so much.

• Card details should never be disclosed to anyone. While in hotels, swipe the card on your own. Do not let anyone watch you while entering your pin.

• In today’s world money is plastic cash. I suggest you keep a separate account with no internet banking or debit card. Keep most of your cash in it.

• Keep a tab on your credit limit in case of credit card. Do you really need a limit of 100,000 on your card? Moreover activate Mobile Alerts for every transaction that is done on your card.

• Always read your card bill & pay later. Direct debit is not always helpful.

• Lastly, never become dependent on technology. Use it to make your life a little easier; do not let it guide your life.

img courtsey: elementauto.com, cardsmart.co.uk, horstmann.com