Tips to avoid credit card fraudsters

We all know that losing your cards, or having them stolen, is a huge inconvenience. It is even more inconvenient when you’re on holiday. By following some simple advice you can help protect yourself against card theft abroad:

1. Only take cards away with you that you intend to use on holiday. Leave others in a secure place at home.

2. Be aware that your card and card details are as valuable to the fraudster as cash. When paying be wary of letting your card out of your sight and carefully dispose of any receipts or statements that include your card details.

3. Check your statement carefully for unfamiliar transactions when you return home.

4. You should consider letting your bank know in advance if you are going to be using your cards abroad. If your bank spots unusual spending patterns it may try to contact you to check that the transactions are genuine.

5. If you drive on holiday, keep handbags and wallets out of sight of opportunist thieves – especially in slow moving traffic. Always remove plastic cards and other valuables from parked cars.

6. In hot weather, wearing fewer clothes can mean personal items such as wallets are more visible. Take extra care to ensure that valuables are safe. A concealed money belt is an ideal way to carry your cards and valuables. If you’re staying in the UK this summer, here are some tips to stop the card criminals going on a shopping spree abroad with your cards.

• Guard your card and card details at all times. Safeguard your PIN. Don’t give it to anyone – even if they claim to be from the police or your bank.

• When entering your PIN at a cash machine or PIN pad in a restaurant or shop, use your hand or body to shield it from prying eyes. If the PIN pad is on a flexible cord, pick it up and hold it so that you can’t be overlooked.

• Memorise your PIN and never write it down – you can change your PIN at most UK cash machines to something you can easily remember.

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