BBA offers tips to beat card fraud

The British Bankers' Association (BBA) has said that customers and banks need to "work together to fight financial fraud" and offered some guidance to consumers to help them avoid being a victim of crime.

Firstly, customers should make sure they do not let their cards or card details out of their sight when making a transaction.

All documents or receipts that contain personal information should be destroyed and details such as pin codes and login details should not be written down.

Customers should not reply to unsolicited emails that claim to be from a bank or the police and ask for bank details. Personal information should only be supplied over the phone if the cardholder has instigated the call.

It is important to ensure security when using a computer, which should have anti-virus software and a firewall installed. Details should only be entered on secure websites which display a padlock or unbroken key symbol at the foot of the page.

Angela Knight, chief executive designate of the BBA, said: "Everyone has a responsibility to fight financial fraud. The banks have a duty to protect their customers and to keep information safe. They are good at it but isolated incidents can crop up.

"These are fully investigated and procedures changed where necessary. But people have to take responsibility for their own security too."

The BBA stressed that, while there are some risks, cards are still safer than cash, as plastic can be frozen if it is lost or stolen. If a purse or wallet with cash in it goes missing, however, there is a high chance that the money inside will never be seen again.