How to prevent card fraud

Simple steps to beat the fraudsters

There is plenty you can do to prevent your cards being stolen or copied and used fraudulently. Here are our top tips to help you thwart the thieves:

• Sign up to Verified by Visa® or MasterCard® SecureCode™ as this will put a stop to most unauthorised online spending.
• Don't let restaurant or shop staff take your debit or credit card out of sight when you are paying, even for a second.
• Check your receipts against your bank or credit card statements to make sure there are no unexpected transactions.
• Shred any documents, statements or receipts that contain personal financial information. A clever fraudster can do a lot of damage with just a credit card receipt.
• Don't let anyone else take money out on your behalf. Never write down your PIN, passwords or user names.
• When entering your PIN at a cash machine (ATM), cover the keypad with your spare hand to protect it from prying eyes or hidden cameras.
• Don't carry multiple debit or credit cards in your purse or wallet, and don't carry cards loose in your bag or pocket.
• Sign any new cards as soon as they arrive in the post.
• When discarding expired cards, cut them up, making sure you cut through the magnetic stripe and the chip.
• Keep track of your card expiry dates. If a replacement card hasn’t arrived by the time your old one expires, call your bank or card issuer to check whether a new one has been sent out.

One more simple way to protect your cards

Card Protection insurance from CPP is the simplest way to ensure that, even if all your preventative measures fail and your cards go missing, you won’t be left out of pocket.

For just £35† per year you can insure yourself and up to four people in your household against the consequences of card fraud. If your cards are lost or stolen, just call us and we’ll cancel all your cards and order replacements. Your keys, cash and handbag are covered too.

Find out more about this unbeatable card insurance from the card protection specialists.

†Price is inclusive of Insurance Premium Tax.