'Low-tech' con threat to consumers

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Fraud losses on UK cards have jumped by almost one fifth year-on-year as improvements in technology are driving criminals to target consumers directly with deception crimes.

Some £216.1 million worth of frauds were committed on credit and debit cards in the first six months of this year, showing a 17% rise compared with the first half of 2012 as conmen turn their attentions to duping card holders themselves, according to Financial Fraud Action UK, which prevents crime on behalf of the financial services industry.