Credit Card Crime

Over 33 million people in the UK use credit cards because it is much more convenient than carrying large sums of money or carrying cheque books. Last year, 5,500 credit cards went missing every day which resulted in more than £123 million being lost to fraudulent card users.

Criminals will assume everyone has a credit card and knows they can be worth thousands of pounds in their hands. That is why we all need to look after our cards and by doing so we can also protect ourselves and our other valuables.

Prevent Credit Card Crime by following these simple rules:

Sign any new cards as soon as they arrive and make sure you cut up the old cards when they expire

Do not give your card to an unauthorised user

Do not tell you PIN number to anyone and more to the point do not write it down for others to see

Make sure you ask for and destroy all the carbon copies from all your credit cards transactions

Do not leave credit cards in unattended coats or jackets

Do not leave credit cards or other valuables in your car and never leave your car unlocked

If you carry a handbag hold it firmly at all times and strap it across your body with any opening sections close to your body

If your credit cards are stolen make sure you inform your bank or building society immediately in order to minimise any losses