Cards 'will always be attractive to criminals'

Friday, April 16th 2010

Online shoppers should ensure they are making payments to bona fide businesses before parting with their money.

This is the advice of Jemma Smith, head of PR for the Payments Council, who spoke about card fraud in the UK.

She explained those buying from abroad also need to exercise caution, because such retailers are more likely to be bogus than those in Britain.

Checking the retailer has a landline phone number, an address and the option of a secure payment system are all steps that should be taken by the shopper.

"Ultimately card fraud won't disappear and cards will always be attractive to criminals, but customers do have two-fold protection now," Ms Smith explained.

She advised those innocent victims of fraud there is legislation to ensure they get their money back.

And credit card users are protected under the Consumer Credit Act so they can usually expect a refund.

Her comments follow reports from the Payments Council that more Britons are now making purchases via credit or debit cards than in the past.