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BOB HIRSHON (host):
Avoiding credit card fraud. I’m Bob Hirshon and this is Science Update.
The same technology that lets you shop online for just about anything from anywhere opens the door for thieves from anywhere to rob you. UC San Diego cybercrime expert Stefan Savage says fraudsters steal credit card information using malware you may have gotten from an email, a website, or while downloading frsee software.
STAFAN SAVAGE (University of California, San Diego):
That software might include in it a code that will look any time you enter a credit card number into a form when you purchase something.
HIRSHON:
In addition to running malware protection software and never giving out your credit card number to anyone you’re unsure of, Savage says you also need to check your statements carefully each month. Watch out for tiny charges of a just few cents—these can be test purchases that cyberthieves make before hitting you up for big bucks. I’m Bob Hirshon, for AAAS, the science society.