Card fraud abroad falls

Brits jetting off abroad this summer can do so in the knowledge that their credit and debit cards will be safer than at any time in the last five years.

New figures from industry association APACS revealed that fraud committed abroad on UK cards fell to £92.5 million during 2004, down from a high of £138.4 million in 2001.

The USA, France and Spain topped the list of countries where the highest levels of overseas card fraud took place - accounting for just under half (48 per cent) of the total.

But this is almost certainly accounted for by the three countries being the most visited by UK residents.

Nevertheless, there was a significant year-on-year fall in fraud on UK-issued cards in France, where it fell from £23.6 million in 2003 to £15.8 million in 2004.

APACS' Sandra Quinn is urging cardholders not to be complacent this summer.

"Simple things like making sure your cards never leave your sight, and remembering to dispose of receipts carefully can make all the difference," she said.

The 2004 figure for overseas fraud on UK-issued cards was the lowest since 1999, since which time the number of UK-issued plastic cards used abroad has risen by 93 per cent.

Hints and tips on keeping cards safe abroad can be found at: www.cardwatch.org.uk

Global fraud hotposts for UK cards 2004

United States - £16.4 million
France - £15.8 million
Spain - £12.3 million
Italy - £4.8 million
Japan - £4.3 million
Australia - £3.0 million
Germany - £2.3 million
Canada - £1.9 million
Netherlands - £1.5 million
South Africa - £1.4 million
Others - £28.8 million