It has recently been revealed that credit card and bank account fraud have risen by 40% in the past year, affecting around 5 million people in the UK. So what can you do to protect yourself and ensure that you don't fall victim too?        

<h3>Arm yourself against fraud</h3>
Use a credit card to shop online - they offer purchase protection when you spend between £100 and £30,000. 

Use strong, secure passwords - weak passwords expose you to fraud, especially in instances where you need to enter payment details. 

Check your bank statements regularly - make sure you recognise everything on there; if you don’t, contact your bank or lender straight away.

Check your credit searches - the Searches section of your ClearScore report can show you who has been trying to take out credit in your name.

Keep your cards safe - especially your contactless card. This will help guard against misuse.