Cardiff is credit card 'fraud hotspot'
Cardiff has become the worst place in Britain for credit card fraud, with more than a third (37%) of its residents becoming victims of card fraud since 2007.
The Welsh capital replaces London at the top of the annual Card Fraud Index maintained by CPP.
London remains a hotspot, with 35% of adults having been affected by the crime since 2007, followed by Norwich with 30%, Southampton with 28% and Leeds with 27%.
Incidents of credit card fraud have increased by more than 6% over the last two years, leaving another 2.75 million British adults victims of fraud. The average sum involved with fraud was £590, but one in six victims (16%) reported a loss of more than £1,000.
Online fraud accounted for a third of those affected, while 17% of cases involved the use of fake cards, at cash points or elsewhere.
The CPP study revealed that one in eight cardholders write down their card details, while 10% allowed other people to take money out at ATMs on their behalf.
Another 16% had allowed a shop assistant to take their credit card out of sight, leaving them vulnerable to fraud.
CPP found 43% of cardholders only realised they were fraud victims when they were contacted by their bank. To protect against fraud, cardholders are being urged to regularly check their bank accounts and statements to ensure all payments made are recognised.
Written by Marcus Jenkins ©
