The Usual Suspects 2

If 'The Devil', Keyser Soze, exists, he's no longer into drug-trafficking and murder. Read more on the sequel to traditional major crime.

I learned from APACS that just 49% of UK retail transactions on the Web are made with credit cards. The other transactions are made mostly on debit cards. What's wrong with you people? Do you still not know about the limited protection you get with debit cards? Also, cheques are still used. Hello! 21st century calling!

However, whether you use a debit or credit card online, you need to be alert for fraud. Although our losses for card fraud are eventually limited to £50, it can be inconvenient and embarrassing when a fraudster maxes out your card shortly before you try to buy something. Plus it can seriously affect your credit rating, which might take months to correct.

I don't know if he's real, but the only thing that scares me is Keyser Soze

Criminal masterminds, perhaps even Keyser Soze from The Usual Suspects (He might be real. Prove me wrong!), are benefiting from this newer type of fraud. Top cops say that sophisticated criminal gangs have switched from more dangerous crimes, such as armed robbery, to Internet card fraud.

Also, many gangs appear to use card crime to finance other criminal operations, such as buying drugs or weapons, to money laundering and terrorism. Here's how 'the devil' Keyser Soze might do it. He hires some cheap, jaded, Russian computer geeks who've been brought up to distrust the West and sets them to these two tasks:

• They can steal but they sure can't spell. Criminals use a technique called 'phishing' to send an email, apparently from your bank or card provider, that asks you to confirm personal details.
  
  
• Modern agriculture. It's the way forward for criminals. Called 'pharming', this technique plants a virus on your computer that takes you to fake websites when you access your bank or card company online.

"Yeah, I know the drill. I simply shred my documents, right?"

But no, it's not quite so easy to shred your computer, is it? With that in mind, here are some more appropriate tips for protecting yourself from online card fraud:

• Delete emails that ask you to confirm personal details.
  
  
• Don't give card details to people who call you, even if they claim to be from your bank or card company. Sometimes they do call you and ask for details - stupidly - but just call them back on a number you find on their website. Alternatively, get them to prove they're genuine, perhaps by telling you the first and last parts of your password.
  
  
• To ensure your Web transactions are secure, check for the locked padlock sign in the bottom of your browser window before typing in your card details.
  
  
• Look at the Internet address when a purchase is made: it should change from http to https.
  
  
• Set your browser to the highest security level.
  
  
• Use up-to-date anti-virus and anti-spyware programs.

And just like that - the risk's gone!

Or, at least, it's greatly reduced.

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