UK credit card holders susceptible to identity fraud

The various credit card agencies around the UK are this week embarking upon a period of education for UK credit card holders who use their "flexible friend" overseas on holiday. When you consider that UK credit cards are used 10 times every second overseas by holidaymakers, the potential to fall victim to identity fraud and credit card fraud is substantially increased.



Aside from the fact that identity fraud is one of the more lucrative and fastest-growing crimes in the UK at this moment in time pales into insignificance when compared to those who use their credit cards overseas. The UK Cards Association and ABTA will be issuing a joint "best practice" for the prevention of credit card fraud which they hope credit card users will read and use. While there are no specific details at this point in time with regards to the percentage of the 317 million transactions originated overseas which fall foul to ID theft and credit card fraud, the figure is known to be growing.



It is vital that you retain your credit card and credit card details in separate places, both held securely, and when using your card either in the UK or overseas you should always maintain visible contact with your "flexible friend". There is also the simple process of checking your credit card statement when it drops through your letterbox, something which more and more people in the UK refuse to do.