Christmas ID fraud warning from MyCallcredit

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Christmas ID fraud warning from MyCallcredit

Mon 11th Dec 2006

Debit and credit card customers are being warned to be careful with their plastic this Christmas in order to avoid becoming victims of ID fraud.

New figures from Sainsbury's Bank show that over four million people in the UK have had their identities stolen, with the average cost to victims totalling £3,039.

Obtaining debit and credit card information is one way for fraudsters to steal someone's identity, and with spending on plastic expected to rise substantially this Christmas the online credit report service MyCallcredit is urging people to protect themselves.

Mark Ward, head of consumer services at MyCallcredit says: "Spending on debit and credit cards is forecast to be around £31.8 billion in December. This gives card fraudsters millions of opportunities to steal the IDs of unsuspecting shoppers and revellers."

He says consumers should follow the advice being issued by MyCallcredit in order to keep their finances safe from ID fraud criminals this Christmas.

This advice includes keeping debit and credit cards safe at home when they are not being used, shielding pin numbers when making purchases or withdrawing cash, shredding any receipts that display credit card numbers and checking statements thoroughly.

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