Shoppers planning to use a credit card for their Christmas purchases should take steps to ensure that they are protected against fraudsters, one expert has advised.
Financial advice service CreditExpert has issued a number of tips for consumers to keep their credit cards safe as "increased spending, socialising and travelling" in the coming weeks could put some at risk, it claimed.
When using a credit card at a cash machine, consumers should take adequate steps to keep their Pin safe - while also checking the ATM for suspicious equipment or devices - the company warned.
Additionally, those planning to visit a restaurant should never let their credit cards out of their sight when paying for the bill - otherwise they could see their card copied by fraudsters.
Jim Hodgkins, managing director at CreditExpert, commented: "With just a few personal details, identity fraudsters can steal your identity and wreak havoc on your credit rating, making your merry Christmas more of a nightmare."
Apacs, the UK payments association, recently claimed that UK residents could cut the hassle out of Christmas shopping by using a debit or credit card and making purchases online.




