Credit card fraud is no new thing and if you ask around you will possibly find at least one person you know who has been the victim of such a crime. And no, its not all internet – based either. Often it will happen when you least expect it to, in restaurants and in stores and shops.

I personally have used my credit card many, many more times on the internet than in shops in the high street or in restaurants. On the internet I have had no problems ever. I have been defrauded when using my card at a gas station, however. So this goes to show that its certainly not the case that all fraud is on the internet. I trust the internet more, actually. Its not difficult for someone who works in a restaurant as a casual waiter or waitress to attain your card details by what is known as “skimming”.

What is skimming? This is where when you hand over you card to a store keeper or whomever and they take it to make payment for your goods or the services you have been given. However, instead of only swiping your card for the one transaction you made, they will swipe the card into a card reader which can then be taken off premises and the data downloaded to a computer or other storage device.

The only way to be sure this has or is not happening to you is to regularly check your card statements. Often thieves will make very small transactions so you are not aware of them, so its wise to go through your statement carefully.

Due to the increase of credit card fraud over the past number of years, banks have in place higher security measures and also better compensation plans for those unfortunate enough to have experienced it.

Nevertheless, here are a few tips to keep in mind when using your credit card:

- keep very safe all credit card statements and shred anything that you do not wish to keep that has your details on. Do not put anything in the bucket without shredding it first

- if you are ever asked to provide credit card account details over the phone you have to ask why. Its possible this could be fraudulent activity to be very sure before you divulge anything at all

- do not simply lend out your card to anyone, other than those you can really trust

- only carry the credit card or cards that you need and leave the rest in a safe place

- do not leave any credit card slips lying around or do not just simply throw them in the bin

- keep your card receipts and check them regularly against your statements

- if you are moving home then do let your credit card company know well in advance of your move

So there we are, some simple but very effective ways to lower any risks to our credit cards and ensure we do not suffer from credit card theft.

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