Prevent Credit Card Fraud

Even the biggest online sites can have the credit card details of their customers stolen by devious and ever-smarter fraudsters.

December, especially mid-month is the best time for fraudsters to pounce and try and slip in charges on compromised cards, hoping to go unnoticed until well into January.

Consumers are urged to be extra vigilant at this time of year and make sure you check your online statement of all the credit cards you use to make sure that there are no suspicious charges that you cannot account for.

By checking before the Christmas break, consumers can avoid a nasty scare in the new year if indeed they have been targeted by fraudsters.

There is no need to be alarmed if you have been a victim of credit card fraud because you will be refunded but in order to avoid hassle and prevent criminals from profiting, make sure you keep on top of things this end of the year.

Be especially vigilant if you have done any of the following.

• If you've recently used your card on a new website you've never shopped from before
• If you've made a lot of transactions in the past couple of weeks
• If you've left your card out of sight recently, such as behind the bar at a pub.
• If you think your pin number has been compromised by someone peering over while you pop your details in.
• If you've used a cashpoint that didn't look quite right.