Fraudsters are using stolen card details to buy goods online without ever touching your physical card — and cases are rising sharply.
What is happening?
Remote purchase fraud happens when a criminal obtains your card details — through a fake website, a phishing email, or a data breach — and uses them to buy goods online. Your card never leaves your purse or wallet, but your money does.
Why does this scam work?
Because the card is not physically present, it can be very difficult to spot until you check your statement. Fraudsters often start with small transactions to test whether the card is active before making larger purchases.
Warning signs:
Small unfamiliar transactions appearing on your bank statement. Purchases from retailers you do not recognise. A one-time passcode arriving by text that you did not request.
What to do:
Check your bank statements regularly — at least once a week. Set up real-time spending alerts in your banking app if available. If you spot anything unfamiliar, contact your bank immediately. The good news is that victims of this type of fraud are almost always reimbursed by their bank.
