| Finally some good news! The level of credit fraud | | | | card. Give them as much information as possible, |
| perpetrated on victims in the UK has decreased in | | | | including the last time you used your credit card and |
| recent times by a massive 23%, new figures show. | | | | details of your last transactions, so that your last |
| But that doesn’t mean we can afford to lower our | | | | legitimate purchases are recorded. |
| defences: latest figures released by Financial Fraud | | | | In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, banks and |
| Action UK reveals that credit card fraud, combined | | | | financial institutions will make the decision as to |
| with debit fraud, cost the UK more than £232 million | | | | whether to pass on details of the fraud crime to the |
| in 2009. | | | | police. |
| Their research shows that the cost of debit and credit | | | | However, if your credit card has been lost or stolen |
| card fraud has fallen 23% in the first half of 2009, | | | | – meaning an additional crime has been committed |
| compared with the same period in 2008, down to | | | | along with the fraud – you should report it the police |
| £232.8 million. | | | | immediately. |
| “These latest fraud figures are good news, but we | | | | Each case of credit card fraud is different so your |
| know there’s no room for complacency,” says | | | | bank will need to investigate fully to find out who, |
| Katy Worobec, Head of Fraud Control. | | | | where and when money was fraudulently withdrawn |
| “Whilst industry online security initiatives such as | | | | from your credit account. |
| Verified by Visa and MasterCard SecureCode may | | | | UK banking industry group Banksafeonline.org.uk, which |
| be making their presence felt, the fraudsters are never | | | | is run by UK Payments on behalf of its member banks, |
| going to shut up shop and, of course, there are | | | | verifies that if you have had money illegally withdrawn |
| emerging areas such as online banking fraud which | | | | from your account by criminals, you will usually get a |
| has risen again.” | | | | full refund. |
| If you believe that you may have become a victim of | | | | According to Bank Safe Online, “Banks are |
| credit card fraud, it’s important that you take action | | | | committed to keeping their customers' money safe |
| immediately. | | | | and will protect customers from Internet fraud, as long |
| Card fraud prevention website CardWatch.co.uk | | | | as they have acted with reasonable care. Customers |
| confirms that your card company, rather than the | | | | must also take sensible precautions, however, so that |
| police, is your first point of contact. | | | | they are not vulnerable to the criminal. |
| Contact your bank straight away and cancel your | | | | |