Industry body reports rise in credit and debit card fraud

By Lucy Bower

Card fraud losses in the UK totaled £185 million in the first half of this year - 9% more than in the same period in 2011.

Now, to try and tackle the problem, The UK Cards Association is raising awareness of techniques used by criminals to commit fraud.

The old trick of distracting card users in shops, or at cash machines, and stealing their cards without them noticing is still being used. People are advised to keep their wits about them at cashpoints and shield their PIN with their free hand.

Another trick involves conning people into handing over their card on their own doorstep. It's said that elderly people are more vulnerable to this tactic. The fraudster calls them at home pretending to be their bank and telling the victim that their debit or credit card needs to be collected. They ask them to type in their PIN and then a courier is sent to the victim's home to collect their card.

Anyone receiving an unsolicited call, or email, should contact their bank directly to see whether it's genuine, using the number on the official website, or in an official document sent by their bank.

Card fraud losses this year did show a 9% increase compared with the first half of 2011 (when it was 169.8 million), but card fraud actually peaked in the first half of 2008 - when losses totaled £304.2 million. The 2021 figures represent a 39% fall in card fraud losses since 2008.
Image © Imagesab - Fotolia

Tags: credit card fraud, crime, UK Cards Association

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