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News: Card fraudsters move online

Online shopping is set to break all records this Christmas. However, protecting yourself from online fraud is more important than ever as fraudsters are increasingly moving online instead.

According to APACS, the UK banking payments association, overall credit and debit card fraud dropped 13% in the first six months of the year but card-not-present fraud, including internet, phone and mail order frauds went up 29% compared to the same period in 2004. At £90.6 million for January-June 2005 card-not-present fraud now accounts for 41% of all card fraud. £58 million of this is committed on the Internet.

Online banking fraud is also on the increase as more people fall victim to phishing attacks - fake emails supposedly sent by your bank asking you for your log-in details. In reality these emails are from fraudsters who use your details to steal your money no bank will ever ask you for such details. This type of crime cost £14.5 million during January to June 2005.

Research by APACS shows that millions of Britons are still not aware of the basic pitfalls:

You can learn about APACS' top ten tips to fight online fraud this Christmas from the association's online shopping fraud prevention expert, Riten Gohil, and its online banking expert Richard Martin on www.webchats.tv at 1pm on Tuesday 15th November.

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