Beat the fraudsters

Online spending is on the increase. Although most security experts agree that consumers are at far greater risk of having their credit data stolen in-store than online, by taking a few precautions you can minimise the risk when making payments over the internet.

Firstly, keep your PC protected by ensuring you have the latest operating system, browser and up-to-date anti-virus software. This will help protect you. To upgrade your system, just log onto a site and look for free update downloads.

Look for the padlock symbol especially if you're buying from a website for the first time. Although it is not failsafe, it is a good sign that they are reputable. Register your cards with Verified by Visa or MasterCard SecureCode when you are asked to do and remember to log out after shopping online. A good tip is to save all emails confirming your transactions in case of dispute later.

Fraudulent emails from banks inevitably include a spelling mistake. Look for a telephone number and call them and see what they want. If you can't find a telephone number, then ring your own branch and ask them for clarification. Nine times out of ten, they will deny all knowledge of the email and you can report it through the proper channels. Most importantly, in all cases do not provide any personal or security information over the phone or by email.

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