Card Fraud at Record High

In a recent BBC news article, it reported that £216m was lost on credit and debit cards due to fraudsters in the first half of the year. They say this is a 17% increase when looking at the first 6 months of 2012.

Bank Card Fraud is at its highest since 2009 reports show. However, in saying this, the Financial Fraud Action says this is still below the peak of £304m in 2008.

A tactic to deceive, used by con-artists, is to pose as police officers to gather sensitive information. Others have posed as bank fraud investigators making people hand over their cards or pin numbers.

Due to the internet more people are now buying online. Figures show a 23% rise in the level of fraud on telephone, online and mail order shopping because of this.

Financial Fraud Action has warned people to look out for people watching you enter your pin, and then to make sure it is not snatched from your hands while the thief distracts you.

Detective Chief Inspector Dave Carter, head of the Dedicated Cheque and Plastic Crime Unit says "Whether victims are targeted on the phone or online, we know that these professional conmen are highly persuasive."

We are always told to keep our pin safe, shield it and check for secure websites; it seems that this can't protect us all the time though. If a police officer or bank asks for your pin number don't give it, this should never be asked for.

Call our fraud solicitors on 0845 603 0708 or email us at answers@nationalsolicitors.com and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Don't be the victim of fraud.

GV Hale & Co

Fraud Solicitors

Barnsley, Doncaster, Scunthorpe, Sheffield.

Tel: 0845 603 0708