Identifying Fraud

You can avoid fraud if you know how to identify it. There are several different types of card fraud:

  • Card not present fraud: fraudsters can obtain your card details from such things as discarded receipts. They can then use this information to purchase high value or desirable goods online, by phone or mail order. For transactions online or by phone the retailer does not need to see the card (or require the PIN), hence the name “card not present fraud”.
  • Identity theft/account takeover fraud: fraudsters can obtain your personal details from various sources including: discarded mail, intercepted post, phishingAn attempt at identity theft using a fake website or email that looks identical or similar to the genuine website that a user is used to seeing., spoofingForging and distributing emails to acquire a valid password to gain unauthorised access to a computer., hoax calls, social networking websites, public records, hackingAn attempt by an accomplished technical computer operator to break into computers or networks for illegal purposes. genuine websites and listening in on telephone calls. Once they have your personal details they can use this to access your account, order cards, change your address, complete a balance transfer and assume the identity of a genuine customer in order to purchase goods or obtain funds fraudulently.
  • Application fraud: this is another form of identity theftThe crime of impersonating someone for a financial or criminal gain.. In this case, the fraudster uses your personal details to apply for a brand new credit card or bank account rather than taking over an existing account. This often happens when the genuine customer has moved from their previous address.
  • Counterfeit fraud: this is the manufacture of a fake credit card using genuine card details. The card details are copied from the magnetic strip of the genuine card using a device called a skimmerDecice used for copying card details from the magnetic strip on the back of the card to be transferred on to a counterfeit card for the purpose of fraudulent use.. This information is then transferred to the magnetic strip on a fake credit card that can be used to purchase goods online or in countries where Chip & PIN has not yet been introduced.
  • Cash machine/ATM fraud: a skimmer can also be placed inside a cash machine. The fraudster will watch the cash machine via a camera or by standing nearby to capture your PIN. Another device can be placed inside the card slot to retain your card so that it can be removed later by the fraudster.
  • Malware fraud: short for “malicious software”, malware refers to software programs that are distributed in the form of innocent-looking emails or spamJunk email that you have not requested from the distributor. but are designed to damage, capture information or do other unwanted actions to your computer. Common examples include virusesA code written to spread from one computer to the next, damaging hardware or used to access a computer for criminal intent., wormsA self-replicating virus that does not alter files, but resides in active memory and duplicates itself for the purpose of malicious intent (like shutting systems down)., trojan horsesA computer program or email attachment that appears to be useful but is actually harmful and may include a virus. and spywareA software that spies on your computer to capture information like web browsing habits, email messages, user names and passwords and credit card information..

Lost or Stolen Card

If your card is lost or stolen or you don’t recognise a transaction on your account contact us immediately.

In the UK:
0800 456 1234
24 hours a day 7 days a week

Outside the UK:
+44 1244 675 989
(reverse charges)
24 hours a day 7 days a week

For More Information

Learn more about Identifying Fraud from other sources: External resources

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