credit card Archives - Smartchoice.pk https://smartchoice.pk/blog/tag/credit-card/ Personal finance, insurance & life style tips to help you make smart decisions Mon, 10 Jan 2022 13:14:37 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.5 https://smartchoice.pk/blog/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/fav_64.png credit card Archives - Smartchoice.pk https://smartchoice.pk/blog/tag/credit-card/ 32 32 The best payment gateways for e-commerce businesses in Pakistan https://smartchoice.pk/blog/2022/01/the-best-payment-gateways-for-e-commerce-businesses-in-pakistan/ https://smartchoice.pk/blog/2022/01/the-best-payment-gateways-for-e-commerce-businesses-in-pakistan/#respond Sat, 08 Jan 2022 09:53:06 +0000 https://smartchoice.pk/blog/?p=6339 The eCommerce industry is in its early stages, making it vital for businesses to launch their businesses as soon as […]

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The eCommerce industry is in its early stages, making it vital for businesses to launch their businesses as soon as possible to take advantage of this emerging market. A crucial element for any business is accepting and processing payments. It is a key factor for many online businesses as it is a key factor to attract and retain customers.

Payment gateways play a significant role in the eCommerce industry in Pakistan. Businesses often face the problem of finding the best payment gateway for their stores when they have to sell their products or services online.

We are here to help you shortlist a potential payment partner by giving you a list of the best payment gateway in Pakistan.

Payment Gateways

Payment Gateways, Online Payments, Ecommerce, Online Buying

Before we list the payment gateways, it is necessary to know what an online payment gateway is and how it works. Simply put, a payment gateway is a system through which payments (usually online) are managed and their details transferred to the concerned banks.

Usually, when you buy things online, you give in your credit or debit card details on a special payment portal that opens after you opt to pay. This secured portal is the front face of the payment gateway. A payment gateway works as a liaison between a buyer, seller, and the seller’s bank.

As technology has expanded, so have security concerns about financial data security. With online commerce growing in popularity, no one wants to have their financial data at risk. This has increased the focus on having an effective payment processing system that secures both the buyer and seller from financial crime.

The primary purpose of payment gateways is to ensure security and facilitate smooth and low cost digital transactions. With the growth of eCommerce, the demand for accessible, safe, and secure transaction processing is a growing focal point for Pakistani consumers and entrepreneurs. E-commerce stores, online retailers, online booking, and reservations providers for travel sites are all examples of businesses that need to accept online payments from their clients.

Payment Gateways managed by Banks in Pakistan

Online Payments

Since payment gateways are the digital versions of banking services, several banks provide online payment processing services. Since payment gateways can be taken as the digitization of a bank’s key business, it makes sense for banks to specialize in this segment.

At present, three banks are offering online payment gateway services. These are HBL, MCB and UBL.

HBL Internet Payment Gateway

HBL Payment Gateway

HBL Internet Payment Gateway allows vendors to link their website or online store, mobile app & Facebook shop to receive payments through Visa, MasterCard, and UnionPay Credit and Debit cards.

This linkage covers local and international cards. Businesses can receive payments from their customers through their website directly through this service. The state-of-the-art solution uses a 3D-Secure platform for increased security. There are also fraud management tools built in to add a layer of protection from internet hacking and fraudulent transactions.

Key Features

  • Safe acceptance through both web and mobile​.
  • Simple to link into a page or website.
  • Backed by 3D Secure, which is verified by Visa/MasterCard secured code​
  • PCI DSS certified payment gateway​.
  • The Merchant Portal is a comprehensive service that offers access to features like transaction history, reports, refunds and search options. This comprehensive offering makes it unnecessary for vendors to rely on external Fraud Management Modules. It is an excellent fraud prevention tool globally in large organizations like Emirates Airline, Virgin Airlines, etc. It can also detect fraud patterns through the help of over 260 variables like the user’s IP, BIN, velocity, address and advanced features like Device fingerprinting.
  • Repeat transactions feature allows regular customers to feed in information once and use it again and again during repeat visits. It can also be used for standing instructions.
  • Multicurrency support (Major currencies only) lets customers transact in the currency of their choice.
  • Direct credit into HBL account.​​
  • Brand the payment page with the business’s logo, header, footer, text style, colours etc., to give customers a unique branded experience.
  • Customer Reports features allow for unlimited customized reports through over 300 available fields for business and marketing analysis.

United Bank Limited e-Commerce Payment Gateway

UBL Payment gateway

Any merchant can collect online payments easily and securely with the UBL e-Commerce Payment Gateway.UBL e-Commerce Payment Gateway has been working with e-Commerce payments since 2013 and is a pioneer in the online payment solution in the local financial industry. It is backed by the Etisalat UAE, working globally with a primary focus on the UAE market.

To sign-up for a merchant account, businesses need to open a UBL business account to start collecting payments right away.

Key Features

  • PCI DSS Certified Secure Platform
  • 3D Secure– Saves merchant from liability
  • Fraud Guard – Saves from fraud risk exposure
  • Various payment options like credit and debit cards and direct debit to other bank accounts.
  • Payment page optimized for Large screen and mobile for enhanced user experience
  • Seamless integration with integration plugins
  • Frictionless payment experience with API’s and Inline checkout
  • Save card information securely via 3DS Tokenization
  • UBL also has an innovative payment tool for merchants who do not have a website or e-commerce platform but operate their businesses online over social media or any other digital channel. With e-Invoicing, merchants can now collect their payments online without any payment gateway integration.

MCB eGate

MCB Payment gateway

MCB now offers a payment gateway for the growing Pakistani e-Commerce industry by offering its existing and new merchants a safe and effective card processing service online through MCB eGate. MCB eGate is a service designed to offer online shopping convenience to cardholders and merchants whereby cardholders can make real-time online purchases through the merchant’s website. A cardholder can use either a Visa or MasterCard issued by any local or international bank for making payments to their vendors online. MCB eGate is backed by MIGs (MasterCard Internet Gateway Services) that provide a 3D secure solution.

Key Features

Some of the key features of MCB eGate are as follows.

  • Fast and simple integration process.
  • Best uptime for high reliability
  • PCI-DSS and 3D Secure compliant for maximum security
  • Routing of e-Commerce transactions from the Payment gateway to MCB for approval and payment
  • A Merchant Portal to see transaction history and details of all transactions
  • Full time local support
  • Fraud Risk Management team to inspect transactions and investigate suspected fraudulent activities

A Comparison of the Banking Gateways

Credit Cards

A summary of the key charges and services

 

HBL MCB UBL
Setup Fee         40,000           50,000         40,000
Recurring Fee per Year         40,000           48,000         50,000
Transaction Fee

None

Rs. 15

None

Merchant Discount Rate

2.50%

2.80%

3.50%

Settlement Period

14 days

Not specified

Ten days

Customer Service

Good

poor

average

Fraud Protection

Strong

Good

Good

Payment Gateways managed by FinTechs in Pakistan

Apart from banks, some FinTech companies also offer payment gateway services and online payment transfer services.

1.   Payoneer

Payoneer

Payoneer is an international payment platform, NOT a processor. However, it allows people in Pakistan to send and receive online money transfers from international buyers and sellers (in foreign currency). It facilitates digital payment services for businesses, SMEs, corporates, and freelancers.

It is particularly useful for freelancers that have to receive payments from freelancing platforms like Fiverr & Upwork.

eCommerce businesses can also use Payoneer to link to Amazon, Shopee, Google and Airbnb. Payoneer is popular because the industry leader, PayPal, is not offering its services in Pakistan yet. Its payment processing services allow Pakistani businesses to receive payments through Stripe’s popular online payment processing system.

Payoneer offers users Transfer Options through its website, and it also offers ATM withdrawals. It allows payments through Bank Transfers, Credit and Debit Cards.

The service charges an annual membership fee of $30 and 3% transaction charges which are on the higher side.

2.   JazzCash

JazzCash

JazzCash offers a safe, adaptable and smooth payment solution for a business website or mobile apps. It is popular amongst individual users and online businesses to accept online payments from their customers.

It creates accounts for individuals based on their CNIC and mobile numbers and allows users to send and receive money via their linked mobile, CNIC number and bank account.

Businesses can register for the JazzCash Corporate Package and accept payments through various payment methods like debit and credit cards, mobile accounts, vouchers and direct debit options. It also allows businesses to create a unique QR code to receive payments from customers.

3.   EasyPaisa

Easypay Payment Gateway

EasyPaisa was Pakistan’s first online payment gateway for eCommerce customers and sellers. It offers instant access to convenient and reliable digital financial services. Easypaisa allows users to pay their bills, load mobile balances and transfer money through their app within minutes.

Easypaisa was the pioneer in the FinTech segment in Pakistan when it launched in 2009. It was the market leader in the consumer mobile money segment until it was overtaken by JazzCash in 2020.

EasyPaisa offers several services to its users, like online payment gateway, business and salaries payments, cash management, and supply chain payments                  .

EasyPaisa has grown impressively in the eCommerce market and offers solutions to many big companies like Uber, Ruba Digital, HumMart, Bykea, Daraz, Seed Out.

Some advantages of using the Easypaisa online payment gateway are its simple onboarding process with a registration portal. It also offers easy integration and great assistance for customers

4.   FonePay

FonePay

A relatively new entrant, FonePay claims to be Pakistan’s first and largest digital lifestyle platform. It should do well, considering that Mastercard powers it.

FonePay offers an efficient option to accept payments at your business, physically, online and through apps. To become a FonePay Merchant, all you need is to sign-up, link your existing bank account with the FonePay Merchant App and start accepting payment from your customers by scanning the QR Code.

FonePay’s digital services are user-friendly along with being well secured. It’s easy to perform transactions with the recipient’s mobile numbers.

FonePay consumers can pay for third-party products and services. Popular international options are Google Play, Hulu, iTunes, Netflix, and Amazon. FonePay is integrated with around 45 banks and is working hard to make cashless transactions more popular for everyone.

Like EasyPaisa, FonePay also offers its users loyalty reward programs that get them discounts and economical packages as a retention strategy.

5.   Keenu Wallet

Keenu Wallet

Keenu Wallet provides secure and easy payments nationwide, both physical and online. The process of paying bills, transferring money, mobile payments, and shopping payments. each other

Keenu Wallet can be used in several ways:

  • Pay for anything through the app
  • Use the QR code at the stores
  • Make transactions between users
  • Purchase services like booking tickets, insurance, etc.

6.   SafePay

SafePay

Safepay is also a payment gateway with a difference. Its Connect option provides users with a quick and easy way to receive payments. Users just have to get their personal link(getsafepay.com/connect/me/your-username) with others, and they can send you money.

People don’t need to know the users email address or mobile phone number or have a Safepay account. They just tap on the link, go to the Safepay.Me link, type in the amount, and send the money.

Safepay partners claim some of the highest online payment success rates and best customer support in Pakistan. There are over 250 partners like All My Tech, Faisal Fabrics, Flashsale, Nerdpapers and Flame Hosting, using Safepay as their payment gateway.

Comparision of the Fintech Companies  Charges

Five ways banks are responding to the fintech threat | Financial Times

Payoneer JazzCash EasyPaisa Keenu FonePay SafePay
Payment Limits (per month)* $15,000 (per transaction) Upto 400,000 Upto 200,000 Upto 200,000 N/A Upto 200,000
Annual Fee $30 No None N/A N/A
Transaction Charges 3% of transaction Yes None Yes Yes 3.30%

*Subject to Verification

Concluding Remarks

Online Payment Method

Online payment gateways are of great importance for successfully running online businesses in the present age. It is important to pick an online payment gateway carefully as not every payment gateways is the same when it comes to different features like convenience, security, and transaction charges.

Keep your business requirements in view and research before going for a specific gateway.

Explore factors like security, ease of use, availability of support, transaction and annual charges that suit your budget. What works well for other companies may not be the best choice for you and your customers.

We all know that choosing the best payment gateway in Pakistan is not an easy job but there are multiple options available that can hopefully work well with your business.

 

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How to Avoid Impulse Buying and Save at Hyperstores? https://smartchoice.pk/blog/2018/10/how-to-avoid-impulse-buying-and-save-at-hyperstores/ https://smartchoice.pk/blog/2018/10/how-to-avoid-impulse-buying-and-save-at-hyperstores/#respond Thu, 04 Oct 2018 05:41:47 +0000 https://smartchoice.pk/blog/?p=3672 At times in our life, we all have been there! You are in the mall to buy some important stuff, […]

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At times in our life, we all have been there!

You are in the mall to buy some important stuff, and suddenly you see something and cannot refrain yourself from buying it. Ignoring your budget and needs, you buy that specific item and are now thrilled to get back to home and try it? This is what makes you an impulsive buyer.

What is impulse buying?

As said by experts, impulse buying is purchasing any product that you may not need it, or pocket cannot afford it. This product can be candy or a shirt or handbag for sale. It can also be gadgets that amuse you, and you do not need or is out of your budget, but you buy it on impulse, just because you liked it so much.

As there are several types of impulse purchases, all of these are centered on the exposure of customer to stimuli in the shopping areas. There are times when a specific personal experience emotional changes as stress or happiness that is triggered by marketing materials displayed in the markets to pay for any product or service that caters to their specific emotional situations. An impulsive buyer does not consider the near future consequences of the buying. This unplanned decision of making a purchase is known as impulse buying, and the person who tends to make such an arrangement is referred to impulse buying.

If you are impulse buyers, here are few tips to help you control the issue and stick to your financial plans properly;

1. Create monthly purchase list and stick to it:

Living life with well-defined rules and limitations help you keep situations in hand and make you well prepared to deal with an uncertain situation in your life. Just like another thing in your life, be prepared to manage your finance and stay within your budget. Something that you will need the most to stick to your budget is “self-control.” You will have to enforce yourself that you can’t buy anything if you are not in need of it.

You must make a list of things that you will need over the month. Make sure this list contains the necessities. To make a budget, you must stick to your needs like toiletries, grocery, fuel, utility bills, etc. make sure that you are not spending more than that,make yourself stick to budget religiously.

2. Avoid going to shopping areas if you do not need to buy anything:

The impulse to buy is boosted when you are in the shopping area or if you are visiting an online store. So the best thing to prevent the urge of purchasing something is by not going to a shopping place at all. Do not go to Hyper Stores or any other shopping area if not needed. For your small needs, try to visit the departmental store in your area and always go with a to-do list. No matter what, do not buy anything that is not mentioned in the list.

Once you are done with buying what you need, get out of the store as soon as possible. The idea of window shopping or roaming around for entertainment can end up disturbing your budget and taking home much stuff that you do not need at all. Better would be to find other ways to have fun. The equation implies various types of online stores as well. Even on your social media profiles like Facebook where you might have liked pages that offer different stuff that may amuse you. Visiting such pages can be a bad idea if your earning does not support extra expenditure stick to your budget.

3. Limit your credit card use (try to pay most with cash)

A credit card is undoubtedly a good thing to have, but only if you are wise enough to use it with responsibility. If you find it tough to use the credit card, a better option would be to quit using it. If permanent cut-off from credit card is not a good option for you, you may think of freezing it. Alternatively, do not carry your credit card with you while you are out for shopping. Keep it away from your reach and do not write credit card number anywhere. In such case, if ever you wished to use your credit card, you have to unfreeze it or get back to your home and take it out of your drawer before you make a purchase. For all of this, you will have to wait, and this wait may lead to stopping you from buying anything all of a sudden.

4. Avoid the buying temptation

Avoid the buying temptation

There is a big difference between needs and temptations. Never consider shopping as a mean of time pass or a hobby. Surrounding yourself with the lure of things will drag you to the urge of buying things that you do not need. Instead, try to find some other activities that can amuse you and keep you engaged and entertained for long. As I like to read books traveling at the same time but considering my budget, I prefer to stick to learning more and more books rather than planning trips around.

5. The Difference Between the need to buy and Nice to Buy:

The Difference Between the need to buy and Nice to Buy

Both are two entirely different things. Please make it a habit of monitoring your needs. Keep a small note paper or book with you all the time. Whenever you have an urge to buy something, tally with the notes to ensure if you need what you wish to purchase or not. This practice will soon make you care about the urges which most of the time are something that we don’t even notice. Having a clear goal in your mind is helpful in the matter. It may also involve the fact that what you need to do in your life? What are your financial goals and what is required to accomplish those goals? It is also essential to keep your goals for saving in your mind while making any purchase or having an urge to buy anything.

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How to Live a Penny Pincher Life and Save Huge Money? https://smartchoice.pk/blog/2018/08/how-to-live-a-penny-pincher-life-and-save-huge-money/ https://smartchoice.pk/blog/2018/08/how-to-live-a-penny-pincher-life-and-save-huge-money/#respond Sat, 04 Aug 2018 18:49:29 +0000 https://smartchoice.pk/blog/?p=3521 Money plays a major role in the life of any person in this date. It is important to take care […]

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Money plays a major role in the life of any person in this date. It is important to take care of how and what you are earning and where you are investing it. Using money wisely is one of the secrets to becoming a financially stable person in later life. Being miser is something different than being smart in spending. Today we will talk about the ways that you can carry in your day to day activities to make sure you end up with some considerable amount of savings and make use of this money to earn some extra amount by investing it in ideas like mutual funds etc.

Here are some tips that you can carry in your daily life to become a smart spender and to use the given services smartly and economically.

Use discount coupons wisely:  

Coupons can be a great idea to save money but it is important to make sure that you are not using coupons to buy unnecessary items just because you can save a few rupees. For instance, if you are using a coupon to buy a bulk pack of cosmetics that you have never tried, you may get stuck with a product that sooner or later would be wasted if you didn’t like it. So try to use coupons for the items that you are sure about or you use them on regular basis. With intelligent use of coupons, you can surely save yourself a handsome amount of money. You can also take help of social media pages of the companies that are offering discount packages or can help you use your coupons to shop grocery for you. It will help you to stay up to date with the latest deals in town and will help you take maximum advantage of it.

Cell phone plan and use:

Cell phone a basic necessity of every person on this date and with a cell phone you can surely stay connected with your peers. However, with its extreme importance, it is also something that takes much of your monthly earnings. To aid the users the cell phone companies keep offering short and long-run plans for the users. You need to check if your cell phone package matches your needs or not. If you are paying for an unlimited data and not using it, it’s the time to shift your package. Also, check for your sms, data and call usage and buy a package accordingly.

Washing your car on your own:

There is no big deal in doing your own chores. Dealing with small activities at home like cleaning the garden or washing your car, will not only save you some money but also give you better health and some fun time with family if you get your kids involved with you for a car wash.

All that you need would be a bucket, soap and some old rags and you are all set for the amazing family adventure right in your garage. Although going to a car washer can be easier and quicker but it will also cost you a lot of money. Save that money for any better use.

Wearing clothes wisely:

Wear your clothes for at least 2 to 3 times before washing them or sending them to dry cleaner. We do understand that wearing Lawn suits twice, in the hot weather of Pakistan, is not a good idea but what about those jeans and jackets? What about your dress pants and suits? Washing them every now and they will tear them up quickly. The color will fade fast and it will surely lose the grace quickly.  

There is nothing bad in hanging these clothes again for a second use. It will save your dress from wear and tear, time of ironing them again and again, and the costs of washing or dry cleaning them every week or so. It will also help you keep your wardrobe look nice for the longer period of time and allow your favorite dress to make you look good for longer.

Pay bills and credit card payment on time:

This is a key to staying secure financially. Never delay your bills and credit card payments as just one small delay can end up making you pay hundreds of rupee in terms of late fee and other surcharges etc. Paying your bills on time not only make you punctual and teach you finance management but also impact greatly on your savings.

With the timely payment of bills and credit card can make you save the extra money in your safe deposit. On the other hand, late payments for the credit card will have a negative impact on your portfolio which will end up restrictions on many facilities that you could have availed if you had maintained a good portfolio.

Smart shopping with credit cards:

Having a credit card to be used in emergency and paying the credit card bill is not the only thing that you can deal with. A credit card brings you an unlimited amount of opportunities in life. Before you opt to buy a warranties item like any Mobile phone or LED TV, check your credit card. It is possible that the credit card you own offers an extension of the manufacturer’s warranty on items that you buy using the card. Although there can be few cards that can offer you such services, it’s worth doing research before making any such purchase.

Be careful about speeding on the road:

Yes! You need to slow down. It will save your life and a lot of money that you may need to give to doctors in case of any unpleasant incident, or the police may get you and charge you with a considerable amount of fine.

If you need to be somewhere at a specific time, let say a meeting or an interview, better is to set up the alarm and make sure that you are giving yourself some clear time gaps to cope with an uncertain situation. This small change in your attitude towards settling up things will not only save you some money but will also leave you with some better-settled rules for life.

No more smoking!

No, we are surely not up to give you some health advice but yes, quitting smoking will give you some financial benefits as well. We completely agree if you are not scared of cancer or you have some amazing health insurance policy to help you in any such case, but what about the impact of cigarettes on your pocket. Each pack of cigarettes costs an average of about PKR 100, which means that if you are smoking 3 packets in a week it makes 12 packets per month that cost PKR 1,200 and almost PKR 15, 000 per year. This amount is just for sustaining a bad habit that will surely lead you to bad situations as you get older. Remember in such cases, the physical cost is much more than the financial costs.

Become a handyman:

No need to become a jack of all trades but there are many small wears and tear that you can repair at your home or in the office with lesser knowledge about the issue. With the changing technologies, YouTube is also a great option to educate yourself to deal with these minor repairing tasks at your home. You can also find many books in the market about different How-To tips. Change your approach of calling experts every single time you need some help, Try to be your own boss.

Sticking to the budget:

There are hundreds of budget management applications that you can have right on your smartphone. Making yourself a budget is always the first step to save money.  However sticking to the decided budget is a tough task for many people, especially when they have an excessive money in hand. No matter how much excitement and fund you can have with that amount in hand, sticking to your budget is very important for you to stay independent and secure financially.

Here important is to write down your budget. No matter how much concerned and keen you are to stick to your budget, important is to take notes of everything that you have spent on and what was your budget demand.

Staying organized and advance planning are two major things to ensure and economical lifestyle. Planning in advance will not only let you find and avail amazing discount offers and other opportunities but will also help you keep a check and align other activities in your life, leading you to financial peace and stability.

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6 Common Type of Credit Card Frauds and How to Avoid Them https://smartchoice.pk/blog/2017/07/6-common-type-credit-card-frauds-avoid/ https://smartchoice.pk/blog/2017/07/6-common-type-credit-card-frauds-avoid/#comments Fri, 07 Jul 2017 16:56:11 +0000 https://smartchoice.pk/blog/?p=2708 Almost everyone owns a credit card these days. These small, plastic cards allow you to purchase goods or services on […]

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Almost everyone owns a credit card these days. These small, plastic cards allow you to purchase goods or services on credit and are your utmost companion, and the transaction processes involved are reliable. However, fraud and theft have found their way here as well. The purpose of credit card fraud is to attain goods without purchasing, or to obtain unauthorized funds from an account via theft.

Card fraud is brought into action either with the theft, itself, physically of the card or with the compromise of information related to the cardholder or the account. Because of the frequent, daily use of credit cards, security lapses and compromises have become an easy thing. Cons and criminals can easily commit credit card fraud and get away with it. Scot-free.

Your credit card is indeed convenient. But using it without taking precautions can lead to financial loss. There are certain risks involved in using credit cards without implementing basic precaution and in over-usage.

Read also: 5 Top Banks Offering Credit Cards in Pakistan

Credit Card Risks

1. You might end up borrowing and accumulating more money than you can afford to pay back.

2. You might damage your credit record if you are incapable of paying back your loans frequently.

3. You’ll find yourself being asked to pay additional interest.

4. Because of your history, you won’t be granted loans and or credit in the future.

5. And of course, there is credit card fraud.

6 Credit Card Frauds and Ways of Avoiding Them:

Credit Card frauds have more than one face. Six of the most common and known credit card frauds are listed and described below.

credit card fraud

Read also: How to Enjoy your Credit Card without Going into Debt

1. Application Fraud.

Application fraud is said to have occurred when other people apply for credit or a new credit card in someone else’s name. This will begin, usually, by supporting documents being stolen. These documents are later used to further the application. Criminals and cons are known to then be involved in forgery and they provide fake contact numbers and other made-up details to last longer.

You can safeguard yourself from this fraud. There are certain measures that have been devised specifically for this theft. By presenting your original documentation to your bank, agency et cetera, you have a much higher chance of securing your money and steering clear of becoming a victim of this identity theft.

2. Electronic Credit Card Imprints.

When somebody steals information that is placed on the magnetic strip found on credit cards, that is called electronic credit card imprinting. Which is later used to encode a phony/fake card or to make illegal transacts.

This theft can be prevented by getting a manual imprint of your card. Some security softwares like CenPOS, et cetera are a much better alternative.

3. Card-Not-Present (CNP) Fraud.

If somehow a criminal knows your card’s expiration date and account number, they have the power of committing what’s called a card-not-present fraud against you. To simplify this, the person in knowledge of the above-mentioned information can use your credit card without actually being in physical possession of it.

Keep an eye out for frequent small payments on your name. CNP is usually not much seen, as there are a wide number of combinations to verify the code. Which will take a lot of time to crack—longer than the other credit card thefts.

4. Lost/Stolen Card Fraud.

This is the most usual type of credit card frauds. Criminals will either steal your card from you, or procure it after you’ve accidentally misplaced or lost it. They will then use it to make payments. Withdrawing cash from machines is a no-no, because only you know the pin. However, online payments can be made.

Call in and have your card cancelled immediately after it is either lost or stolen. Your cash stays safe this way.

5. Manufactured/Phony Cards.

Manufacturing a fake or phony card is a rather arduous process, but many criminals have been reported resorting to it. If a criminal is skilled enough to duplicate everything a real card is made of, they will do so and then use fake names to fool shopkeepers and buy products. By the time law enforcement will be on to their little scheme, they will be long gone with their “purchases.”

If cashiers look closely enough, they can tell whether a card is fake or real. To be able to protect themselves from this sort of fraud, people who are supposed to encounter credit card related transactions must be taught how to tell between fake and real.

6. Card ID Fraud.

Criminals can use a person’s credit card information to take hold of it or to make for themselves a new credit card. Victims of card ID find it hard to rid themselves of their criminals and to recover. Probably because it may take a long while before they have even realized they are in a card ID fraud, and even longer to find the culprit.

General protective measures ought to keep you safe from this one. Don’t let your card details be known. Carry it with you and retrieve it only when needed. Keep a record of your credit card sum and make sure you know the basic procedure of reporting credit thefts.

Read also: 5 Tips To Save Money Using Your Credit Card!

avoid credit card fraud

Conclusion

There are other ways criminals and credit card cons can make use of your credit card information. Make sure you have credit cards secure when traveling and carrying them with you. Implementing basic protective measures against such theft does a lot you will begrudgingly admit. It could mean the difference between loss and stability. Make sure you learn to recognize the aforementioned credit card frauds, and possibly more, and can save yourself and others from hours of frustration, considerably lost sums of money, and even imprisonment.

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5 Top Banks Offering Credit Cards in Pakistan https://smartchoice.pk/blog/2017/06/5-top-banks-offering-credit-cards-in-pakistan/ https://smartchoice.pk/blog/2017/06/5-top-banks-offering-credit-cards-in-pakistan/#respond Tue, 06 Jun 2017 06:40:34 +0000 https://smartchoice.pk/blog/?p=2367 If you are someone who makes large amounts of transactions every day or if you simply do not like carrying […]

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If you are someone who makes large amounts of transactions every day or if you simply do not like carrying cash in your pocket, then getting a credit card is a solution for your problems. In Pakistan, with the development of the department of finance, many banks have established and they offer various services, such as credit cards, to ready customers.

Apply for a Credit Card. Click here

Why should credit cards be used in the first place?

Here are some advantages of credit cards which show why you should use a credit card in the first place:

  1. You do not have to count your cash before paying bills of any kind or check if you have enough of it or not.
  2. It is also a safer way of carrying money; cash always attracts thieves and robbers especially in a high crime rate country like Pakistan.
  3. For some, carrying cash itself seems a burden. Going to an ATM every now and then and filling wallets up with paper money can be very irritating.
  4. Besides these obvious advantages of using credit cards, one also gets the favours that the credit card packages offer to the clients.

Related read: How to Enjoy your Credit Card without Going into Debt

Credit cards and their utilization in Pakistan:

People have only recently started using credit cards in Pakistan and mainly for shopping. People create multiple accounts and various credit cards that offer various services and use them according to their needs. If extra money from the bank is used up, the bank charges a certain amount of interest that one can pay later. This service was mainly devised for salaried people who have limited amount of money available. Credit cards offer emergency loan from the bank and people can return it as soon as they get their salary. This is the general trend of credit card usage in Pakistan.

The “How to’s” of a credit card:

  • Use of credit cards is not for people who have very little self-control. If you cannot use your credit smartly then you may put yourself at a disadvantage.
  • Keeping more than one accounts can be very helpful for if one account exceeds limit, the other credit card remains at your disposal.
  • Keep note of the amount of money you spend on your credit card so that you may spend the money you can pay back.
  • Pay your credit card bills on time to avoid unnecessary financial burden.
  • Credit limit is the amount you set as limit on your credit card. Keep it low to make it easier to pay it back.
  • Stay updated to your bank’s policies and the status of your credit card account.

Related read: 5 Tips To Save Money Using Your Credit Card!

What to look for when getting a credit card?

The comparison of the packages and policies offered by different banks is very important. Following are a few steps to help you choose a suitable credit card:

  • Don’t stick to one bank, look for packages most convenient for you instead.
  • Prioritize taking advantage of the offers that the packages hold, Credit cards are more than just replacement of money.
  • Use a package that offers ever-ready customer care, maximum discount offers on a wide-variety of brands, feasible security plans and insurance policies. It should also help you pay for online shopping efficiently.
  • Check if the package you chose allows you to take as much advantage out of it as possible with little miscellaneous financial burdens.  

Related read: Most Rewarding Platinum Credit Card in Pakistan

5 banks and their credit card packages and policies:

Following are the top five banks in Pakistan that offer credit cards along with the packages and policies they offer.

  • Bank Alfalah:

Bank Alfalah offers Three kinds of cards, classic/gold card, titanium card and platinum card. The packages are all the same however, as we move from classic to platinum, the services get better and wider. These services include worldwide accessibility, reward points, instalment pays, CIP lounge access etc. it also offers a cheque book with up to 50% credit limit utility and chip based credit cards with extra security.

  • Faysal bank:

Faysal bank offers five types of credit cards, world, platinum, titanium (platinum-gold combo), mc² (unique style and chip technology) and Airblue (travel friendly credit). Through Airblue, we can accumulate blue miles and redeem them for free tickets. Their world credit card is the most expensive and offers maximum luxuries all around the world.

  • Standard Chartered:

They offer the Visa Platinum card, Mastercard Titanium credit card and Visa Gold card. Apart from these this bank offers Cash Back credit card and the easy credit card. The easy card has the lowest financial charge and global accessibility while the cashback card reduces monthly financial burdens.

  • UBL

UBL offers three types of cards, UBL credit card, UBL PSO auto credit card, and UBL Visa Platinum. Platinum is the most expensive whereas UBL credit card is the cheapest. The PSO auto credit offers fuel saving from PSO specifically.

  • HBL

Habib Bank Limited offers four types of credit cards i.e. fuel saver, green, gold and platinum. The fuel saver card has further sub-types, green and gold. It basically offers saving on fuel cost ‘reducing the burden of monthly fuel expense’. The features and benefits of the gold and green credit card are the same whereas the platinum credit card offers everything at a grander level, offering and receiving larger amounts.

 

Credit cards are one step ahead to the financial development within our country, keeping up with these developments will make us financially compatible with other nations.

 

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How eCIB Report Can Affect Your Credit Card Or Loan Approval https://smartchoice.pk/blog/2016/11/ecib-report-can-affect-credit-card-loan-approval/ https://smartchoice.pk/blog/2016/11/ecib-report-can-affect-credit-card-loan-approval/#respond Fri, 25 Nov 2016 07:30:00 +0000 https://smartchoice.pk/blog/?p=2148 Credit cards and home loans make it easier for you to spend on important or much needed expenses of your […]

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Credit cards and home loans make it easier for you to spend on important or much needed expenses of your everyday life as well as once in a lifetime events such as medical procedures, home renovation, child’s higher education or marriages. For the average middle class Pakistani, shelling out a huge sum all at once is not possible thus such financial services can be of great use.

Meet eCIB
But before you can avail any of these services, you have to apply for them and then you are subject to certain checks only after which you are granted a new credit card or a personal loan. This is exactly where Electronic Credit Investigation Beaurau or eCIB comes into play. eCIB is a regulatory authority set up by State Bank of Pakistan, SBP. What this authotity does is maintain a database of all creditors from all financial institutions in the country. For all banks and other financial institutions it is mandatory to upload creditor’s details including all negative as well as positive aspect of any creditor’s history such as late payments, clean history, settlements, defaults etc. Based on the information provided by the financial institute, the eCIB prepares a report known as eCIB report or more commonly credit report. This report however doesn’t contain any grading or rating.  The report also includes your personal information such as your CNIC number, address, date of birth, name and other relevant details.

How Does A Bank Use The eCIB Report?
Each bank has a different set of criterion to gauge whether an individual’s request for a personal loan or a new credit card should be approved. There are different threshold and risk levels that a bank might have. For e.g where one bank might choose to refuse your request on a single delayed payment, another one could’ve a risk level of upto 3 delayed payments in your credit history before you can be refused for a financial service’s approval. Also there are different things that are taken into consideration while offering you a specific amount of loan or a credit card with a certain credit limit. It could also be the status of your current due payments on other loans you might have taken or if you have one or more credit cards already then your outstanding amount could also be taken into consideration before issuing you a new one. For example, you took a loan of 70,000 for 1 year with a monthly repayment schedule  but failed to pay 3 installments on time within the monthly due date. These late payments along with the full history of your payment schedule will be mentioned in the eCIB report making it easier for banks to gauge if you can be allowed to borrow further money or not. On the other hand, it can also reflect your positive status of timely payments on previous financial borrowing services and approve your request. Smartchoice.pk offers multiple financial services where you can also apply for a new credit card.

What’s The Function Of eCIB Report?
The purpose that the eCIB report serves is that whenever any individual applies for a credit card or a personal loan of any kind, the financial institute that has to issue the desire credit card or loan, checks into the eCIB database for the relevant report and checks for a clean history. In the occurrence that the bank finds a clean history, the individual who has put up a request is issued the relevant financial service. However if the case turns out to be the opposite, then the financial institution offering the loan has a right to reject the request.

What Should Be Done To Maintain Clean eCIB Report?
It is extremely important to maintain a clean credit history so that your eCIB report turns out to be positive if you ever need to apply for a new credit card or personal loan. Failure to do so might render you unable to avail such financial services from any financial institute. To ensure that you’ve a clean credit history, you should always file your income tax, pay your loan installments on time as well as paying credit card bills within the grace period. Not only does it save you from monetary loss in the shape of fines, late payment charges etc. It also keeps your credit history healthy and open to future financial opportunities.

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4 Places Where You Should Not Use Your Debit Card! https://smartchoice.pk/blog/2016/07/4-places-not-use-debit-card/ https://smartchoice.pk/blog/2016/07/4-places-not-use-debit-card/#respond Wed, 20 Jul 2016 12:46:20 +0000 https://smartchoice.pk/blog/?p=1890 Debit cards are very common these days and chances are that if you already have a bank account then you […]

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Debit cards are very common these days and chances are that if you already have a bank account then you have a debit card too. These cards work at ATMs for cash withdrawal but you can also use them online, at Point of Sales and get various offers and discounts as well depending on the agreements of their bank with various vendors. When it comes to debit cards you’re spending your own money and don’t owe the bank anything neither is there any payment deadlines hence some people prefer it as their choice of plastic money over a credit card.

However with all the ease of use that debit cards provide, there are a certain precautions that one should take at all times and there are certain places where using your debit card might not be a good idea as you risk your account being compromised which means putting all your available funds at risk too. Below we will mention a few scenarios in which you should be careful not to use your debit card:

Out of Sight PoS:
You should beware of places where you give your card to the sales person to be swiped somewhere else such as at fuel stations or restaurants. The reason behind this is that you could become a victim of skimming hence always make sure that the cards are swiped infront of you or use a credit card to pay at such places if it’s inevitable.

Online:
It’s also a wise idea not to use your debit card for online transactions as you expose your personal account details tied to your own funds in every transaction. Also unlike credit cards there’s no credit limit that can be exhausted hence your total funds could be compromised. Also when you use credit cards it’s easier to report frauds as it’s the banks money that you’re lending so the bank is responsible to counter any frauds or losses and issue refunds. There’s also a due date for your bill payment till which any issues or disputes between the merchant and card holder can be resolved. However in debit cards all these safety measures are unavailable. Also if you run into any fraud using your debit card and block the account then it’ll be another hassle for you as you’ll be unable to access your own funds for a certain period of time and you’ll have to resort to withdrawal from cheques until you get your replacement debit card issued.

Refunds:
Using debit cards at places where you’re buying good from a merchant is also not a good idea. The underlying reason is that if by mistake you get a faulty or wrong product, or the product is not the same as advertised and you wish to get a refund, then it will not be as easy as with a credit card. It’s also pertinent to mention here that the refund duration varies from 1-15 days depending on the merchant, merchandise and the location of the transaction i.e if it’s done locally or internationally. During this tenure your own available funds will be affected for the time being. Hence using a credit card is a better option

Foreign Destinations:
It’s also advisable not to use your debit card at foreign tourist locations because some locations still use the Magnetic stripe instead of the newer Chip and Pin system which means that you’re more vulnerable as using a debit card at point of sales where the card is swiped instead of dipped can lead to your own funds being at risk. Credit cards are safer to use while traveling abroad as you’re borrowing money from the bank and you know you’ll be spending within a specific limit hence it doesn’t make sense to expose your private bank account details that are tied to your own funds.

If you follow the above tips you can make safe, secure and hassle free transactions using the right card for the right place. If you have any feedback let us know the comments section below.

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Zong Offers Innovative Bill Payment Option https://smartchoice.pk/blog/2015/11/zong-offers-innovative-bill-payment-option/ https://smartchoice.pk/blog/2015/11/zong-offers-innovative-bill-payment-option/#respond Sat, 14 Nov 2015 11:48:36 +0000 https://smartchoice.pk/blog/?p=1346 Service providers should always strive to offer consumers the best of features and options to avail to make their service […]

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Service providers should always strive to offer consumers the best of features and options to avail to make their service more attractive. Recently our local Telcos and ISPs are doing the same. They have recently offered bill payment options such as door-step payment pickup, payment via money transfer facilities etc. But now Zong and PTCL are offering payment via credit/debit cards for their valuable customers, this is bound to make things more easier as you can pay from the ease of your home.

Zong has also offered online recharge and payment facility for prepaid and postpaid plans via credit/debit cards by setting up an online portal which can be found here.


We must however mention that there are a few things that are lacking. Zong must have offered a package subscription option as well to make it easier for users to select and pay for different packages on the fly.

In today’s technologically advanced world, the more a company facilitates its customers, the more they become happy with their services. We believe that it’s a smart move by Zong to facilitate their consumers.

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