Card fraud

This occurs when a lost or stolen card is used by a fraudster posing as you. Most lost and stolen card fraud occurs before you report the loss.

To protect yourself:

• Report any lost or stolen cards immediately
• Use chip and PIN cards where possible
• Only carry the cards you need
• Avoid placing cards in your pockets, where they can easily fall out
• Make sure that your cards fit snugly inside your wallet or purse
• Take precautions to avoid your card being stolen – for example, don’t leave your handbag unattended or carry your wallet in your back pocket

A counterfeit card can be a fake card or a valid one that’s been altered or recoded.

Most cases involve skimming, when the data on your card’s magnetic strip is electronically copied on to another card without your knowledge.

Skimming commonly occurs at retail outlets – particularly bars, restaurants and petrol stations – and at cash machines that have been illegally fitted with a skimming device. The stolen data is then used to create counterfeit cards.

Most people are unaware that they’ve fallen victim to this fraud until their statements arrive. If you believe a Barclays cash machine has been tampered with, call 0845 755 5555. ²

To protect yourself:

• Don’t leave your card with bar or restaurant staff for long periods
• Don’t let retail staff take your card away to process payments
• Check cash machines for signs of tampering before you use them

This is the most common type of card fraud in the UK. It occurs when fraudsters steal your card details and use them to buy things over the Internet or by phone, fax or mail. Always be aware of who you are dealing with.

To protect yourself:

• Avoid entering your card details on shared or public computers
• Always remember to log out of any websites where you’ve entered your card details
• Only enter your card details on secure sites (ie, those whose web address begins with ‘https’ and have a padlock in the browser window)
• Keep a close eye on your statements and report any fraudulent transactions immediately

This fraud occurs when you order a new card and it’s stolen on the way to you. You’re at particular risk of this fraud if you live in a property with a communal letterbox, such as a block of flats or a student residence hall.

To protect yourself:

• Find out how long it will take for any new cards to be mailed out to you and contact your card provider straight away if they don't arrive on time

This occurs when a fraudster uses your personal information to open or access card accounts in your name. There are two types:

• Application fraud happens when stolen or fake identification documents are used to open an account in your name
• Account takeover occurs when fraudsters use your personal information to pose as you and convince your bank to make payments from your accounts, order new cards and so on

To protect yourself:

• Shred bills, bank statements and other documents containing your personal details before disposing of them
• If you use social networking sites, display as little personal data on your page as possible
• If you suspect your mail is being stolen, contact the Royal Mail Customer Enquiry Line on 0845 774 0740 to check if a mail redirection order has been made in your name without your knowledge
• If you move house, ask Royal Mail to redirect your mail and advise the companies that you do business with immediately
• Check your personal credit file regularly using a credit reference agency such as:
  Callcredit
  Equifax  
  Experian   ³