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08 November 2005
Brits who shop online are increasingly becoming the focus for fraudsters frustrated by chip and pin technology, according to figures published today.
Internet, phone and mail order fraud was 29 per cent higher in the first six months of this year than at the same stage of 2004, says the Association for Payment Clearing Services (Apacs) - and the main reason is that new over-the-counter chip and pin methods have deterred criminals from trying their luck in shops.
There is some good news - overall card fraud dropped by 13 per cent in the first six months of this year, with £219 million unfairly gained until June 30th. Online banking fraud did, however, almost treble - but this should be measured against the sharply increasing number of transactions taking place.
Apacs has launched a campaign in tandem with Visa and Mastercard, aimed at promoting authentication methods for customer shopping online, and has put together ten top tips for online safety.
Sandra Quinn, director of corporate communications for Apacs, said: "These latest online fraud losses are comparatively low…and it is clear that fraudsters are having more success targeting cards than online bank accounts.
"Probably nearly everyone with access to the Internet will buy something online this Christmas and there is absolutely no reason why they shouldn't do this in complete confidence providing they follow some very simple rules."
Among Apacs's top tips is that regular internet shoppers could get a credit card solely for online shopping purposes, making their spending in that area easier to track.
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