Credit card theft is growing and most of us know someone who has been the victim of fraud. Official figures confirm anecdotal evidence – last year credit card fraud in Wales increased by £200,000 to £5.4 million, while in the UK the total was a staggering £428 million!

While those unfortunate enough to find themselves an innocent victim of credit card fraud will be refunded, the hassle, worry and the invasion of privacy can be a distressing experience. While there will never be a single solution to this problem, there are lots of small measures that may help.

Be careful of the information you put out in your rubbish and recycling.  My husband picked up a piece of litter in Porthcawl and found it contained the bank account details, dates of birth, addresses etc of friends of ours.  The paper had been put out in the bin and must have blow off the collection lorry; valuable information in the hands of thieves.

Twice last summer I was approached by young people who had taken Passports to University and lost them.  Passports are invaluable to someone looking to open a bank or shop account, take out a loan, hire a car, all in your name.  They need looking after.

Simple initiatives can bring encouraging results. Zoned areas marked on the ground in front of cash machine which allows users to enter then PIN in private have show offences reduced by 66% within 150m of the cash machine.   Take care.

Madeleine Moon MP