Trader lost two thousand pounds in credit card fraud (From Gazette Series)

Trader lost two thousand pounds in credit card fraud

A SHOP owner in Dursley is warning neighbouring businesses about the dangers of credit card fraud after losing more than £2,000.

Alan Greenhill who owns and runs Kite N Skate on Silver Street in Dursley claims fraudulent use of his company credit card over the festive period could cost him his business.

Mr Greenhill believes the improper use of his company's credit card started in November but went unnoticed until just after Christmas.

He said: "The thing is with statements you just take a quick glance and they stay in their envelopes and with the company credit card we usually just pass them on to the book-keeper anyway.

"It wasn't until just after Christmas, at the end of the year, when we needed to sort out the VAT we noticed all these irregular payments."

Mr Greenhill says the company credit card is kept in the shop and is only used for paying suppliers over the telephone.

He said: "A lot of our suppliers want money up front and a credit card transaction is quicker than sending a cheque. The card never leaves the shop."

According to Mr Greenhill the irregular transactions have taken place in and around the London area. The card has apparently paid for mobile telephones, mobile top-ups, holidays via internet companies and food and cinema trips.

Having already paid his November credit card bill Mr Greenhill now has to find the money to cover the excessively high December bill.

Mr Greenhill said: "We have already paid November's bill without realising it was wrong but now we have got to find the money to pay our suppliers which we do not have.

"Lucky for us I have a £2,000 limit on the card otherwise they could have got away with a lot more."

Mr Greenhill now fears with Christmas over and people watching their own spending he will not make up the estimated £3,000 he has lost.

He said: "I'm hoping the bank will be able to sort things so we won't have to pay for December's bill.

"You hear stories of credit card fraud but until it happens to you you never believe it.

"We just aren't careful enough with our bank details. I hope people and other business owners will learn from what has happened to us and stop being complacent."

Mark Bowerman, spokesman for Card Watch, a UK banking industry initiative that aims to raise awareness of card fraud prevention said credit card fraud is a unfortunate reality of modern banking.

"Our latest research shows that type of fraud is on the increase.

"The majority of Internet card fraud involves a criminal obtaining genuine card details in the real world that are then used to shop online.

"Consumers can minimise the chances of becoming a victim by simply keeping cards and card details as secure as possible and not letting their cards out of their sight."