Travellers to Europe should take care with their cards

Experts are warning consumers that are getting ready to jet off on their holidays to take extra care when using credit and debit cards due to the levels of card fraud taking place. Customers have always been at risk of credit and debit card fraud when abroad, but now fraudsters are using more sophisticated methods to try and gain access to consumers’ cards and accounts. One insurance company, CPP, reported over nine thousand cases of car fraud last year.

Credit and debit cards make it easier for travellers to make purchases and get cash out whilst abroad, but the risk of fraud means that customers have to be extra careful and vigilant when using their cards. According to recent figures the highest levels of card fraud abroad are in Spain, France, and Italy, so those travelling to these destinations need to be aware of how easily they could become victims of card fraud. These are very popular destinations with Brits, and each year millions of people travel to these destinations armed with their debit and credit cards.

One insurance company official stated: "As summer vacation is approaching, we are urging holiday makers to be vigilant at all times abroad. In countries where chip and pin is not widely available, criminals have ample opportunities to skim the cards and commit fraudulent activities." Apacs also submitted figures that showed an increase of 43 percent in card fraud activity between 2005 and 2006.

Consumers that are travelling abroad – particularly to places that do not widely use chip and pin technology – should be careful about where they keep their card as well as being careful about using the card if there are strangers lurking about. Any cards that go missing, whether lost or stolen, should be immediately reported so that a stop can be put on the card before any transactions are made on it.

Tom Smith
7th August 2007