Using your credit card to make in-store purchases puts you at risk

In regards to the plethora of major security breaches in 2014, including the Target indent and current P.F. Chang’s investigation, it seems using your credit card to make purchases might not be the way to go in the future. Instead, replacing your credit card with good ol’ cash appears to be the optimal choice.

Credit card information is a very high commodity for criminals, with single credit card numbers being sold for thousands of dollars online and on other black markets. Credit card numbers and information can be utilized in a variety of ways by intelligent crooks.

In recent history concerning the P.F. Chang’s breach (that the company has for some reason yet to confirm), credit card information had been stolen, sold on the internet, and used by thieves. As simple as it sounds, if these customers had used cash in hand to make purchases, their credit cards and livelihood would not be in jeopardy. They would not have to jump through hoops to make sure their information is secure, nor would they have to experience an anxiety attack when hearing about stolen information on the news or on blogs like this one.

Most of the major security breaches have occurred in-store and not linked to online stores by use of sophisticated malware that is developed to siphon customer data. During the Target security breach, the malware would collect customer information as they made purchases at the check-stands. This breach was not uncovered for over a month later, and by then it was too late for many victims.

The handling of the Target security breach has also been scrutinized by many. Target offered only simple credit monitoring for customers, but this was found to be inadequate  to most. To this day, since the Target incident occurred in December 2013 and January 2014, there are still many victims facing issues with their stolen data. Some Target customers may not even be aware of it.

This leads many to believe that using your credit card to make purchases might be the way of the past. Has cash really made credit cards obsolete? It would seem so, unless security at these companies is taken more seriously.

It’s up to major companies to protect their customers, if they cannot do that, there is no reason to risk shopping at the establishments.

In conclusion, to avoid getting your credit card information stolen without your knowledge, you may want to visit the ATM and withdraw cash before you make your next purchase.