Press Release

DON'T LOSE SIGHT OF YOUR CARD WHEN ABROAD THIS EASTER

Equifax warns of the risks of credit card cloning as APACS reveals £22.5 million rise in card fraud abroad

London 30th March 2009 - The latest figures from trade body, APACS*, show that there has been an 11% rise in fraud abroad in the last year. Leading ID fraud expert, Equifax, is warning that holidaymakers heading for foreign shores for the Easter break could be particularly at risk.

"The APACS figures show a £22.5million rise in fraud abroad", confirmed Neil Munroe, External Affairs Director, Equifax. "A proportion of this is as result of criminals stealing cards in the UK to make counterfeit magnetic stripe cards which they can then use in countries yet to upgrade to Chip and PIN. But there is also likely to be a proportion of cases where holidaymakers are using their cards in these countries and falling foul of the criminals.

"With ID fraud taking hundreds of hours to rectify, clearly the best advice is to be ultra cautious with credit cards - at home and abroad. In particular, we strongly advise travellers to limit the number of cards they take abroad as well as never lose sight of the card they use. NEVER leave a card behind a bar or let a waiter walk away with your card.

"The global recession is also adding to the rise in fraud with card cloning methods becoming more sophisticated and making it harder to detect if you've been a victim.

"ID and credit card fraud is a very real threat for consumers - and especially when they are abroad. It's essential, therefore, that they take sensible precautions to protect themselves. Armed with the right knowledge, consumers can help minimise the risk of fraud and take fast action if they do become victims."

THE EQUIFAX DO'S AND DON'T S TO AVOIDING CARD FRAUD ABROAD

Don't display your home address on your luggage. Instead use a work address or mobile phone number
Use work addresses and mobile phone numbers when checking into a hotel
Keep your identification documents separate from your bank and credit cards
Only take credit and debit cards you are going to use or consider using a pre-paid travellers cash card
Don't carry around your PINs. If you are unsure about remembering them, contact your card holder and change the PIN to something more memorable
NEVER leave cards behind bars and NEVER let a waiter walk off with your credit card
Keep your personal documents, such as your passport, in the hotel safe at all times
When in crowds, keep your bag either strapped across your body or held firmly
A concealed money belt is an ideal way to carry your cards and valuables
When you are travelling abroad, make sure someone you trust in the UK has your passport number in case it is stolen or lost. Don't carry these details around with you
Subscribe to an ID monitoring service such as Equifax Identity Watch to be alerted to any changes on your credit file as soon as they happen

ENDS

*APACS 2008 Card Fraud Losses released March 2009

For further press information please contact: Elinor Puzey, Louise Fowler, Cecile Stearn or Wendy Harrison at HSL on 020 8977 9132 / Fax: 020 8977 5200 or Email: elinor@harrisonsadler.com