Cardholders advised to minimise fraud risk

Although credit card fraud rates are on the rise, there a number of steps people can take to lower the chances of being a victim of such crime.

In particular, people are advised to keep security in mind when using a credit card to pay for goods and services over the internet, Angus Kidman writes in an article for Lifehacker Australia.

Despite there being "no absolute guarantee" that credit card information can be protected while online Mr Kidman reports "there are plenty of steps to minimise any risk", advising people against sharing their card details via email.

Meanwhile, people should not shop online for goods using a public computer or purchase from an unknown vendor.

Those who lose their card or have it stolen should report it straightaway as doing so means they will not liable for any fraudulent expenditure, he advises.

Mr Kidman also points to a number of forthcoming developments - such as two-factor authentication, using biometrics or a smart card - to help reduce fraud.

However, until such technology becomes widely available, "common sense remains the best defence".

The issue of credit card security was recently raised after the Daily Mercury revealed details of numerous National Australia Bank cardholders were found dumped in an alleyway outside its own offices.