| Credit card fraud has been around as long as credit | | | | entry shielded and examine the cash point for any |
| cards have. The majority of incidents occur through | | | | unusual fixtures. |
| the internet when a consumer falls foul of phishing | | | | Skimming uses two pieces of equipment; a device |
| scams or less-than-honest websites. | | | | attached to the card slot which will read your details |
| However, almost a quarter of British people have fallen | | | | as you insert it, and a tiny camera trained on the |
| foul of the credit card fraudsters who operate on the | | | | keypad which will record you entering your PIN. The |
| high street. There are several ways for criminals to | | | | criminal can use your details to make a counterfeit |
| get hold of your card details, but all of them can be | | | | card to use, complete with PIN, at ATMs and shops. |
| prevented if you are vigilant and know the tricks. | | | | You may only realise your card has been skimmed |
| Shoulder surfing is perhaps the most common and | | | | and cloned when you check your bank balance or |
| easiest for criminals to do. When you're paying for | | | | statements. Before using a cash machine always |
| goods in a shop, the thief will stand behind you and | | | | examine it thoroughly, and report any unusual or |
| discreetly watch you enter your PIN. Once outside, | | | | unfamiliar fixtures to your bank. Do not use it unless |
| they will follow you and steal your card, either by | | | | you are sure it's safe. |
| distracting you, picking your pocket or indicating to a | | | | Card cloning and skimming don't always require a cash |
| partner in crime to do so. Keep your PIN entries well | | | | machine. A dishonest sales assistant can use a |
| shielded and don't leave your card or wallet loose in a | | | | handheld device to skim your card in a shop that |
| pocket or handbag. | | | | doesn't use Chip and PIN, and use this in the same |
| Card-trapping mimics the behaviour of a cash machine | | | | way; creating a duplicate card which they can then |
| when a PIN is entered incorrectly. The criminals fit a | | | | use to empty your bank account. This type of fraud |
| device into the card slot which traps your card inside, | | | | can also happen if you hand your card to an |
| causing you to enter your PIN several times (while the | | | | employee in a restaurant, which they take away to |
| criminals watch). The idea is that you will give up and | | | | carry out a transaction. The golden rule here is to |
| go into the bank to complain about your unreturned | | | | never let your card out of your sight; follow the waiter |
| card. When you do this, the criminals can remove the | | | | to the till, watch the cashier carefully, and report any |
| device and your card, and use it. Again, keep your PIN | | | | suspicious behaviour immediately to the manager. |