Credit card payments for flights, meals 'the most risky'

A study by the European Commission shows people using credit cards to pay for flights online and meals at restaurants are the most likely to be targeted by fraudsters.

According to the report, which analyses the actions undertaken by EU member states on the prevention of payment fraud between 2004 and 2007, buying plane tickets online is one of the least secure transactions.

Gaming and gambling on the web are also fraud-prone, while away from the online world, the most common crime against non-cash payments is the so-called skimming, that is, the copying of card details by specific reading machines mainly used in restaurants, where waiters collect cards for payment and can copy them when not seen by the owners.

"Online fraud is considered the easiest due to the relative simplicity of stealing an identity in the online world," the study states.

The study identifies a number of eCommerce activities that are most likely to end up as fraud cases due to the low use of protection systems.

"The airlines, travel agencies and gaming and gambling sectors have been identified as weak areas. Crimes related to eBanking - the use of online bank accounts - are increasing as web services continue to spread."

Latest figures show that fewer than one European out of five makes purchases online. The use of credit cards in Malta to make online payments is one of the lowest in the EU.

The report shows that more security of means of payment and payment systems is necessary to improve consumer confidence and trust in payment services.

According to the Commission, the development of the Single Euro Payments Area (Sepa) by industry will also provide an opportunity to build on the legislative framework to increase security and trust.