Credit Card Fraud

Over one third (40%) of credit card fraud abroad took place in three countries:

• France 14 per cent (£11.6 million)
• USA 14 per cent (£11.2 million)
• Spain 12 per cent (£9.5 million)

If you are worried that your card may have been used fraudulently please contact your card issuer immedidately. Check out the customer services number to call on our list.

Types of credit card fraud

Theft of the card

Where your card physically stolen from your bag or wallet, or home, and an impostor pretends to be you to obtain goods or services.

Cloning (also called 'skimming')

An employee of a shop, petrol station, or restaurant puts your card into an electronic reading device and steals your card details.

Card-not-present fraud

Details may be obtained from card theft, skimming or going through someone's receipts, or copying down details during a transaction. Goods or services are fraudulently obtained by buying over the phone, internet, from mail order or fax.

Mail non-receipt fraud

This is also on the increase, where cards are intercepted before the cardholder receives them through the post

Preventing credit card fraud

Keep your cards and cheque books safe, and do not let anyone know your PIN numbers even if they say they're from the police or the credit card company. See our 21 Top Tips for how to keep your cards secure.

Download the APACS guide to keeping your card safe, and check out  our On-line protection information.

• Never lend your card to anyone or leave it unattended
• Try not to let your card out of sight when paying in shops and restaurants
• Check your receipts with card transactions - shred them if possible to prevent 'bin divers' from getting information about you and your cards
• When using a cash machine, be wary of anyone who might be trying to watch you enter your PIN and don't allow yourself to be distracted by anyone trying to talk to you
• Never write down your PIN number or disclose it to anyone
• Sign a new card as soon as it arrives and cut up old ones
• Remember credit card companies only ask you to disclose your PIN when withdrawing cash from an ATM
• Only deal with trusted companies when purchasing over the phone or internet
• Contact your credit card provider immediately if you are suspicious of fraud on your card or are experiencing difficulties using the card
• Keep the customer service numbers with you at all times so that you can call whether at home or abroad, or just remember www.protectyourpin.co.uk as we list all the numbers here.

Please note : We are not affiliated with any credit card company and do not endorse any individual vendors and we are not responsible for the contents of any third party web sites or products.