Card Fraud Increasingly an Internet Crime

Credit-card fraudsters are increasingly turning to the internet now that the "chip and pin" system has closed other money-making opportunities.

"Card-not-present" fraud has grown by 29% in a year, says the Association for Payment Clearing Services (Apacs). Online banking fraud has also risen sharply. Apacs is promoting a consumer awareness campaign to inform people of safety precautions they can take when shopping online.

Overall, card fraud losses have fallen. For the six months to June 30 they totalled £219m - down 13% on the £253m of losses recorded during the same period last year.

The Guardian reports that many fraudsters now appear to have shifted their attention to the internet. Card-not-present fraud amounted to £90.6m in the first six months of this year, up from £70.2m during the same period in 2004. Internet card fraud made up the lion's share (£58m) of this.

Meanwhile, online banking fraud - involving "phishing" and other scams more than trebled to £14.5m in the first six months of this year.