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Protect credit cards, fraud prevention service says

Wed, 14 Dec 2005

Britons should be more vigilant when it comes to their debit and credit cards in order to protect their identities, the UK's fraud prevention service urges.

CIFAS has issued guidelines for British banking customers to help protect them against identity thieves, as identity fraud is now the fastest growing crime in the UK.

The first of its top ten tips for identity protection this Christmas suggests that debit and credit card holders should leave the cards they won't need at home when they go out.

Debit and credit card holders are also being urged to remember the contact details for their bank or credit card company. This way, lost or stolen debit and credit cards can be reported immediately.

Bank statements and credit card bills need to be checked against receipts from purchases, CIFAS warns.

Credit card holders and banking customers should also let their bank and credit card company know if they don't receive their statements during Christmas. CIFAS warns that post may be intercepted by fraudsters.

"Being aware is not just for Christmas – it's for life," CIFAS concludes its list of tips. Even after the festive season, identity thieves will remain active, the fraud prevention service warns.

CIFAS has more than 250 member organisations spread across various sectors, including banking, credit cards, insurance, investment management and retail.

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