Fraud Protection

When it comes to protecting your credit card details you can never be too cautious. Keeping your card details safe and secure should be a priority - losing your details or having them stolen can be very stressful as there is the very real threat of someone using them to make unauthorised purchases, to help get new cards or to steal your identity. Nowadays, most banks and credit card companies offer a fraud protection guarantee, for use when someone steals and uses your credit card details, this is of great value to those consumers who regularly pay for goods over the phone or purchase online.

Chip and PIN
MasterCard is a member of the recently introduced chip and PIN (Personal Identification Number) system. As you are no doubt aware, this system is used at supermarkets, shops, hotels and petrol stations up and down the country and prompts you to enter a PIN code when you pay for goods or services. This has proved a major step forward in attempts to tackle credit card fraud.

Protecting your details
To ensure your credit card details aren't used without your consent:

• When closing a credit card account or when receiving a new credit card to replace your existing one, cut up your old card into small pieces and also across the chip

• Where possible shred your credit card statements before you put them into the bin, or even burn them for even more security.

• Don't carry your credit card around in your purse as these tend to get lost quite easily - instead put the card in an inside jacket pocket or front pocket of trousers or jeans as these are less likely to be a target for thieves.

• Make sure you only use your credit card at trusted stores, and be sure to use reputable stores when shopping online.

• Do not let restaurant or shop staff take your credit card out of sight (ie.e. into another room) and ask for the Chip & PIN device to be brought to you. If this isn't possible then accompany the member of staff to where their terminal is situated so that you can see how your card is used.