Consumers urged to support fight against online shopping fraud

Ten million UK-issued payment cards have now been registered with MasterCard SecureCode and Verified by Visa services – making these cards more secure when shopping online, according to APACS, the UK payments association.

Most cardholders can now sign up to Verified by Visa and MasterCard Secure Code at the website of the bank or card company that issues their card. More information to help cardholders is available on these sites. Increasingly cardholders are also being encouraged to sign up when they are shopping at participating merchants. This is because more and more online retailers, such as British Airways, Currys, Dixons lastminute.com and PC World, are introducing these secure systems.

With shopping over the internet now very much part of everyday life, it is important that cardholders take the necessary steps to make their cards safer from this type of fraud. Consequently, APACS is urging consumers to register their cards with MasterCard SecureCode and Verified by Visa whenever they are given the opportunity.

Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said: "Shopping online is convenient for consumers and retailers alike, but although the internet offers valuable opportunities for law abiding citizens it also presents opportunities for fraudsters. The key to tackling online fraud is prevention, which is why the Government supports industry initiatives such as Verified by Visa and Mastercard SecureCode, which are designed to make online transactions even more secure. I am pleased to see the industry introducing such measures and urge cardholders to sign up to these protective schemes."

Although internet shopping fraud losses are increasing, this must be seen in the light of increasing numbers of people buying over the internet and more and more retailers offering online shopping. Over 26 million people made a purchase over the internet last year and the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) estimates that the online shopping market is now worth around £21.4billion a year.

Sandra Quinn, director of communications at APACS, said: “Ten million registered cards is clearly an important milestone in the development of e-commerce in the UK. The industry has worked hard to provide practical solutions to fight online shopping fraud and we are calling on those cardholders not yet signed up to do so and take the appropriate security measures when shopping online.”

To help boost general public awareness and understanding about MasterCard SecureCode and Verified by Visa, APACS has launched a consumer advice guide explaining the registration process and security benefits in more detail. The guide is available to download from apacs.org.uk and cardwatch.org.uk.