'Take care when using credit cards'
(07 February 2008)

Customers should take simple steps to be safer when using credit cards to prevent fraud, according to an expert.

Only carrying a few cards at a time, taking care when shopping online and keeping credit cards in a safe place when shopping can all help prevent theft of the card.

CPP, a company which provides support and protection for credit cards, advises reporting it to the bank as soon as you realise the card is lost.

Danny Harrison, a security expert at CPP, said: "These fraudsters are always looking for an easy target. When you are shopping on the high street, you need to take that extra bit of care."

He went on to say that credit card fraud is now seen as a victimless crime as banks bear the cost of it.

Research by the company had shown that on average it took people ten hours to report a missing card, but Mr Harrison urged people to report it immediately.

London is the worst location for card fraud in the UK, with 28 per cent of Londoners saying they have been a victim, research from CPP found.