What is credit card fraud?

We’re working very hard to keep credit card fraud to a minimum. However, there are some things that we can’t stop, no matter what we do – so you’ll also need to do everything that you can to stop yourself being a victim of credit card fraud.

The main types of fraud are:

• Counterfeit fraud – skimming
• Lost or stolen cards
• Postal interceptions
• Identity fraud
• Cashpoint fraud

How do you protect me?

Every Barclaycard customer is protected against credit card fraud. If you’ve done everything you can – keeping your PIN secret, for example – you won’t be liable if your Barclaycard is used fraudulently. One thing we’ll do is give you a call if we think there’s anything suspicious about certain transactions, just to check no one is using your card when they shouldn’t be.

What can I do to protect myself

• Never let your card out of your sight.
• Keep it somewhere safe – in a zipped pocket in your handbag or purse, or in a pocket in your wallet. Don’t leave it where it can easily be spotted.
• Never tell anyone your PIN or write it down. Change your PIN to something more memorable.
• Check every statement carefully and call is if you see anything you don’t recognise.
• Never leave your card where it can be copied. For instance, if you’re in a restaurant, ask the waiter to bring the card terminal to you or go with them to the till. Never give anyone your card and tell them your PIN.
• If anyone asks for your PIN, let us know immediately.
• Keep the information we have for you up to date – if you change your address, let us know, so we can get in touch if we need to check anything with you.
• Tell us whenever you’re going abroad, so you can use your card without any problems – if you do't all we'll see is an attempted transaction somewhere outside the UK and it could be rejected. If you’re registered for mybarclaycard, you can click on Overseas Indicator to let us know you’re going aboard.
• If you’re going abroad, put our lost and stolen emergency number in your mobile. It’s +44 1604 230230. Write it in your diary and travel documents, in case your mobile gets stolen as well.

Never tell anyone your PIN

Here's a typical scenario. Your handbag or wallet is stolen and before you notice it's missing, you get a phone call from someone pretending to be us. They'll often say something like "We believe your card has been stolen and we want to check this with you. To help us identify that you’re the real owner of the card, please tell us your PIN." End the call immediately and call us – we will never ask you for your PIN.

No legitimate trader will ever ask for your PIN, either – they will always bring the terminal to you so you can put it in yourself.

Counterfeit fraud – skimming

Skimming is when someone copies the data from your card’s magnetic strip onto another card without your knowledge. It can happen anywhere – cash machines, shops, bars, restaurants and petrol stations.

So always make sure you can see your card when you’re making a transaction. If someone asks for your PIN and refuses to bring the PIN machine to you, refuse to give it to them, take your card and call us immediately.

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Lost or stolen cards

It’s easy to lose your card or have it stolen. You could drop it in a shop when you take something else out of your bag or wallet, someone could pick your pocket, you could put it down and forget to pick it up, your bag or jacket could be stolen from your hands, and so on.

What can you do about it?

• Keep your cards in a safe place at all times.
• Always take care to get your card back when you make a transaction.
• Keep your card in the same place every time, so you always know where it should be.
• If you do lose your card or have it stolen, tell us and the police immediately.
• If you’re going abroad, put our lost and stolen emergency number in your mobile. It's +44 1604 230230. Write it in your diary and travel documents, in case your mobile gets stolen as well.

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Postal interceptions

If you're expecting a new card or cheque book through the post and it doesn't arrive, call us about it and report it to your local Post Office, too.

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Identity fraud

Criminals try to get hold of something like a utility bill, a bank statement or some other form of personal information so that they can take out credit cards, loans or mortgages in your name. They keep the money and never make the repayments, so you get a bad credit history that can damage your credit rating, your reputation, even your hopes of finding a job.

So you should always be very careful about how you keep and dispose of anything with sensitive information on it. Don’t just bin it or recycle it – make it illegible or shred it first.

If you think someone may have stolen your identity, there are several things you can do –

• Call us on 0844 811 9111 (call charges information) to check your account.
• Contact a credit reference agency like Experian on 0844 481 8000 or Equifax on 0844 335 0550 and ask for a copy of your annual credit report. This will help you find out if anyone is opening accounts in your name (call charges information).
• Check out the Home Office Identity Fraud website for more information on how to protect yourself and what to do if it happens to you.

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Cashpoint fraud

Another way fraudsters can get your details is to tamper with the cashpoint machine so that it reads and stores your card details after you have used it.

• Never write your PIN down or keep a note of it with your card.
• If a cash machine looks like it's been tampered with, use a different one.
• Make sure no one can see you putting your PIN in, cover the PIN pad with your other hand whilst entering your PIN.
• Put your card and your cash away safely before you leave the machine.
• If you ask for a receipt, take it with you to check it against your statement when it arrives and then dispose of it safely.
• If the machine keeps your card, call us on 0844 811 9111 (call charges information).

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Find out more

If you want to know more about card fraud and how to prevent it, click www.cardwatch.org.uk or visit the Chip and PIN web site. Any questions about chip and PIN not covered here? Call us on 0844 811 9011 (call charges information).