LEEDS, UNITED KINGDOM -- (Marketwire) -- 11/10/12 -- Credit card fraud is serious, damaging and a potentially expensive crime that everyone hopes to never experience. Asda Money looks at ways to help avoid credit card fraud.

According to the European Central Bank, which looked at 17 national banks in the euro area, credit card fraud has been in decline since 2007(i). This is largely down to technological advances such as the introduction of Chip and PIN, which has helped to increase the security of these types of transactions.

The research also highlighted that credit card fraud has shifted and predominately occurs online. Whilst credit card fraud is in decline, it is an international organised activity over the internet and by taking a few measures you could reduce your risk of becoming a credit card fraud victim.

Top tips to avoid credit card fraud

Know your PIN

It might be an obvious choice, but make sure you're the only one who knows your Personal Identification Number (PIN). Worryingly, 33% of people do not cover up their PIN number when paying for goods in shops or at an ATM machine. A further 17% have confessed to not destroying the written confirmation of a PIN number when they get new debit or credit cards.(ii) You should never give your PIN number away to anyone.

Online fraud

Online banking fraud increased by a massive 14% between 2009 and 2008 as criminals became increasingly tech savvy.(iii) Whilst you cannot ever be certain that you will never be a victim of online fraud, you could take matters into your own hands. You can reduce the risk of online fraud by never giving over your bank details unless the website is trusted and well known. Merchants such as Visa and MasterCard offer a SecureCode verification payment system, which account holders can sign up to in order to complete a transaction.

Be cautious

You might not be aware if you are a victim of fraud so it could be advisable to thoroughly review your credit and debit card bank statements to see if smaller unknown payments have slipped through the net. You should also take steps to cover you tracks and shred any documents with sensitive information such as your bank details.

Notes to editors

(i) Source: European Central Bank First ECB report on card fraud shows chips have increased the security of physical transactions 26/07/12

(ii) Source: Esure Password perils 01/02/12

(iii) Source: The UK Cards Association New Card and Banking Fraud Figures 10/03/12

About Asda Money Credit Card

--  1% cashback on Asda shopping 
--  1% cashback at Asda filling stations 
--  0.5% cashback at all other shops 
--  0% balance transfers for 12 months(i)

Representative example:                                                     
Standard Purchases: 14.9% p.a. variable.                                    
Representative APR: 14.9% variable.                                         
Total amount of credit: GBP 1200.                                           
This is for illustrative purposes only and actual total amount of credit may
differ.                                                                     

(i)Balance Transfer Terms and Conditions: Balance Transfer fee of 2.9% (minimum fee GBP 3 per transaction) will be charged in respect of each Balance Transfer. Subject to account status. Account Terms and Conditions apply. You can Balance Transfer up to 80% of the available credit limit within the first 90 days of account opening. Balance Transfers from existing storecard accounts and loans issued by Creation Financial Services Ltd or Creation Consumer Finance Ltd and credit card accounts issued by Sygma Bank UK are not permitted. Minimum value for Balance Transfer is GBP 50. At the end of the promotional period you will be charged the Standard Rates of Interest in accordance to your Account.

Asda Money is a trading name of Asda Stores Limited. Asda Stores Limited uses a selection of companies to provide its products and services. Please refer to www.ASDA.com/money for details of our product partners and the relevant terms and conditions for each of our products and services.

Subject to status. Applicants must be aged 18 or over and UK resident (including Isle of Man and Channel Islands). The Asda Money Credit Card is issued by Sygma Bank UK, a Creation Group company, Chadwick House, Blenheim Court, Solihull B91 2AA.