Early Xmas for Britain's Card Thieves

YORK, England, Dec. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Britons are being warned to be vigilant
with their credit and debit cards this Christmas as criminals target the hordes
of shoppers returning to the high street.



New figures from life assistance company CPP, predict that over 315,000 shoppers
risk falling prey to card fraud during the festive season, with the average sum
set to be over GBP 600. (1)



This retail fraud epidemic is being fuelled by shoppers coming back to UK high
streets. With an average Christmas present budget of GBP 395, Brits are
rejecting online to favour street shopping. Sixty-five per cent will be buying
at least half their gifts in person, while almost two-fifths will purchase the
majority of presents on the high street, compared to just a quarter who will do
so online.



This return to the high street is being fuelled in part by concerns about postal
delays - one in four is worried that online orders won't arrive in time for
Christmas. CPP warns that the number of lost and stolen cards will peak on 18
December as stressed out last-minute shoppers become less careful with their
bank cards. (2)



Three quarters (75 per cent) of shoppers find the experience stressful, which
psychologists show makes them more susceptible to theft. The hurly burly of
festive shopping also means people lose track of their spending, leaving them at
risk from fraud as suspicious transactions can go unnoticed. A third of shoppers
admit they lose track of spending and a fifth don't check their receipts against
bank statements after they get home.



Dr. Glenn Wilson, Visiting Professor of Psychology at Gresham College said:
"Last minute Christmas shopping on the high street is a stressful experience.
Stress affects people in many ways, both physically and psychologically. Heart
rate and blood pressure rise, and there is an increase in anxiety,
distractibility, confusion and forgetfulness, all of which makes people more
likely to lose things, such as their bank cards, and be more at risk of theft."



Sarah Blaney, card fraud expert at CPP, said: "More and more consumers are aware
of the risks when shopping online and are vigilant about keeping their passwords
and personal details safe. However, we often get caught up in the hustle and
bustle of the high street: a combination of crowds and pressure to find the
perfect present can lead to our attention wandering.



"Retail fraud remains a problem despite the introduction of Chip and PIN
verification. In the first six months of 2009 it totalled nearly GBP 35m (3).
However, lost and stolen cards can be used to make illegal purchases online,
which is the largest type of card fraud totalling GBP 134m in the first half of
the year.



"It is important people protect their PIN numbers and check their receipts
against their bank statements on a regular basis. We all need to be responsible
to stop fraud. Card protection can give shoppers valuable peace of mind, helping
them to cancel and replace their cards immediately should the worst happen and
provide fraud victim support."



Key statistics

-- The average sum stolen from card fraud victims stands at GBP 623
-- A fifth of card fraud victims report having over GBP 1000 fraudulently
taken from their bank accounts
-- 65 per cent will be buying at least half of their gifts in person this
Christmas
-- 37 per cent will purchase the majority on the high street compared to 27
per cent online
-- 25 per cent of Brits are concerned that online orders won't arrive in
time for Christmas
-- 75 per cent find Christmas shopping stressful
-- 33 per cent admit they've lost track of spending over Christmas
-- 20 per cent don't check their receipts against bank statements
-- 10 per cent confess they have thrown away receipts containing card
details


Top tips fromCPPto help avoid being a victim of card fraud

1. Don't carry multiple debit/credit cards in a wallet - only carry the
essential cards you need
2. Don't leave belongings unattended while shopping
3. Don't carry debit/credit cards loose in a bag or pocket
4. If your cards are registered with a Card Protection company make sure you
have their emergency loss reporting number
5. Don't ever write down your PIN number
6. Don't let a shop assistant take your debit/credit card out of sight - they
could be copied or cloned
7. Don't let someone else take money out on your behalf
8. Check your receipts against your statements when you get home
9. If you are concerned your cards may have been lost or stolen, contact your
bank immediately to get the card cancelled
10. Make sure your bank has up-to-date contact details for you, including your
mobile phone number in case they need to check if transactions are genuine


For more information or to arrange a time for interview with identity theft
expert Sarah Blaney, please call Band & Brown Communications:

Eoghan Hughes - 020 7419 6976

Hester Decouz - 020 7419 7339



Notes to Editor

1. According to online research commissioned by CPP through Opinion Matters
among 1524 UK cardholders the average sum fraudulently taken following bank
cards being lost or stolen is GBP 623 - based on a sample of 100 card fraud
victims. Over the period December 2008 - January 2009, 36,356 cards were
lost out of 5.2 million CPP card customers. This amounts to 0.07%.
Extrapolating this to the UK population 0.07 per cent of the UK card
population is 0.07 x 45,000,000 = 315,000 victims.
2. Research among CPP's 5.2 million policyholders for Card Protection shows
that the last Friday before Christmas has been the day for the highest
number of cards lost and stolen over 2006, 2007 and 2008.
3. Figures according to Fraud - The Facts 2009 - http://www.cardwatch.org.uk
from APACS, the UK Payments Administration


Research Methodology

Online research was carried out by Opinion Matters amongst 1524 UK adults. The
research was conducted between the 18th and 23rd November 2009.



TheCPPGroup Plc

The CPP Group Plc (CPP) is an international marketing services business offering
bespoke customer management solutions to multi-sector business partners designed
to enhance their customer revenue, engagement and loyalty, whilst at the same
time reducing cost to deliver improved profitability.



This is underpinned by the delivery of a portfolio of complementary Life
Assistance products, designed to help our mutual customers cope with the
anxieties associated with the challenges and opportunities of everyday life.



Whether our customers have lost their wallets, been a victim of identity fraud
or looking for lifestyle perks, CPP can help remove the hassle from their lives
leaving them free to enjoy life. Globally, our Life Assistance products and
services are designed to simplify the complexities of everyday living whether
these affect personal finances, home, travel, personal data or future plans.
When it really matters, Life Assistance enables people to live life and worry
less.



Established in 1980, CPP has 11 million customers and more than 200 business
partners across Europe, North and South America and Asia Pacific and employs
2,000 employees who handle 16 million consumer sales and service conversations
each year.



In 2008, Group revenue was GBP 259.5 million, an increase of more than 15 per
cent over the previous year. This is more than five times the sales level of
2000.



What We Do:

CPP provides a range of assistance products and services that allow our business
partners to forge closer relationships with their customers.



We have a solution for many eventualities, including:

-- Insuring our customers' mobile phones
-- Protecting the payment cards in our customers' wallets and purses,
should these be lost or stolen
-- Providing assistance and protection if a customer's keys are lost or
stolen
-- Providing advice, insurance and assistance to protect customers against
the insidious crime of identity fraud
-- Offering advice to people considering legal action and cover for the
costs involved in taking action on a range of legal issues
-- Assisting customers with their travel emergencies
-- Monitoring the credit status of our customers


CPP is an award winning organisation:

-- Finalist in the National Insurance Fraud Awards, Counter Fraud
Initiative of the Year category, 2009
-- Finalist in the European Contact Centre Awards, Large Team and Advisor
of the Year categories, 2009
-- Named in the Sunday Times 2008 PricewaterhouseCoopers Profit Track 100
-- Finalists in the National Business Awards, 3i Growth Strategy category,
2008
-- Finalist in the National Business Awards, Business of the Year category,
2007, 2009 and Highly Commended in 2008
-- Named in the Sunday Times 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 HSBC Top Track 250
companies
-- Regional winner of the National Training Awards, 2007
-- Winner of the BITC Health, Work and Well-Being Award, 2007
-- Highly Commended in the UK National Customer Service Awards, 2006
-- Winner of the Tamworth Community Involvement Award, 2006. Finalist in
2008
-- Highly Commended in The Press Best Link Between Business and Education,
2005 and 2006. Winner in 2007
-- Finalist in the National Business Awards, Innovation category, 2005


For more information on CPP click onwww.cpp.co.uk