1) Sign the back of your card as soon as you receive it.

2) Always make sure no-one is watching when you key in your PIN number at an ATM.

3) Keep your receipts and check them off against your statement at the end of the month, including the currency conversion.

4) Do not let your card out of your sight when making a transaction.

5) Look after your cards as carefully as your cash.

6) Report billing errors or lost or stolen cards immediately.

7) Shred and destroy all personal and household documents before putting them in the rubbish.

8) Put the 24-hour contact number of your financial institution in your mobile phone memory so you can contact them immediately if the card is lost or stolen.

9) Minimise the amount of personal information a criminal can steal by carrying only the cards that you need around and not carrying your birth certificate or passport unless it is absolutely necessary.

10) Keep a separate list of all credit cards, account numbers and expiration dates so you can notify lenders in case of loss or theft .