CIFAS warns 86 per cent of card fraud is now carried out online

As card fraud continues to rise, the latest survey shows that nearly nine in 10 instances of this crime are now carried out online.

According to fraud prevention service CIFAS, all card fraud was up by 28 per cent over the first five months of this year when compared to the same period in 2011.

But online transactions now account for 86 per cent of this fraud. Criminals are able to hijack people's accounts because they have the necessary data; including personal details like dates of birth, addresses etc to email addresses, account numbers or passwords that enable them to circumvent security measures.

CIFAS' communications manager Richard Hurley said: "Whether it be through malicious computer software or data hacking, criminals are obviously obtaining the personal data that they require to commit fraud."

As the volume of online transactions continues to grow Hurley said it was inevitable that the number of fraud cases would rise. He pointed out that responsibility for taking this threat seriously lay not only with companies and the authorities but individuals as well,

He added: "It is, therefore, of paramount importance that software and computer manufacturers, individuals, businesses and police all take this threat seriously.

"If we, collectively, do not, the continuing migration towards transacting business online will simply become a licence for fraudsters to continue their criminal gains.

"As more fraud is uncovered, a strong message is sent out to individuals and businesses alike: invest time in protecting your data, and ensuring that your information is as safe as possible, especially online.

"Otherwise, you risk becoming the next victim to this growing problem."