Festive shoppers `should do more` to prevent ID theft

Consumers should be aware of theft prevention tips "more than ever" in the run up to Christmas, an industry expert has claimed.

As shoppers turn to using plastic cards and online shopping this Christmas, many consumers are not doing enough to protect their essential bank details from potential thieves, the UK`s payments association Apacs stated.

Shoppers should protect their PIN number at all times and make sure they conduct online transactions from safe sites only, Mark Bowerman, spokesperson for Apacs, said. Taking theses measures will limit potential fraud.

Mr Bowerman added: "We don`t necessarily see more fraud happening at Christmas, but I suppose potentially as we`re using our cards more during this period there is the potential for cards to be compromised more now than other times of the year."

According to Apacs, online banking fraud increased by nearly 45 per cent between 2005 (£23.3 million) and 2006 (£33.5 million).