CONSUMERS are being urged to watch out for growing numbers of scams trying to trick them into handing over their personal details.

The warning came as new figures showed a jump in losses due to card identity theft as well as online and telephone banking fraud.

The figures from Financial Fraud Action UK (FFA-UK) showed that losses due to telephone banking fraud have nearly doubled over the past year – from £7.4 million in the first half of 2014 to £14.4 million between January and June 2015.
Meanwhile, losses due to online banking fraud increased by 27 per cent year-on-year to reach £51.2m in the first half of 2015.

Losses due to card identity theft, where a fraudster either sets up an account in someone else’s name or takes over an existing account using stolen information, were up by 28 per cent on the first six months of 2014, with £18.8m of losses in the first six months of 2015.

Detective Chief Inspector Perry Stokes, head of the Dedicated Card and Payment Crime Unit, said anyone receiving a call, text or email out of the blue asking for their details or to transfer money, should not respond and immediately report it to their bank.

To avoid becoming a victim of fraud, FFA-UK advises:
Be aware that your bank or the police will never phone you to ask for your four-digit card Pin or your online banking password, even by tapping them into the telephone keypad, or ask you to withdraw money to give them for safe-keeping. And they will never send someone to your home to collect your cash, Pin, payment card or cheque book if you are a victim of fraud.

Ensure you have the most up-to-date security software installed on your computer, including anti-virus. Some banks offer free security software.

Only shop on secure websites. Before entering card details ensure that the locked padlock or unbroken key symbol is showing in your browser.

Make sure you are the only person who knows the Pin for your card.

Rip up or preferably shred statements, receipts and documents that contain information relating to your financial affairs when you dispose of them.