CARD fraudsters are preying on inexperienced part-time staff taken on in East Lancashire shops during the busy summer period, store bosses have been warned.

Fraud on plastic cards is expected to cost more than £9.6 million this summer.

And thieves using stolen credit cards and other forms of "plastic" are believed to be targeting students and other temporary staff who may be less aware of the dangers.

Now Card Watch, the national public awareness campaign, has warned retailers to ensure all part-time staff are fully trained.

The campaign is run by the Association for Payment Clearing Services, the body responsible for overseeing transmissions involving high street banks and building societies.

It has issued a set of tips to help retailers train staff. These include:

Hold the card and examine it for signs of tampering.

Watch the customer sign for their goods or services and hold on to the card while they are doing this.

Match the signature they give you with the one on the card.

Check the "valid from" and expiry dates.

If in doubt, make an authorisation call or phone the cheque guarantee card helpline.

Card Watch spokesman Katy Silcock said: "Seasonal workers are often young and relatively new to the retail trade, which means that they are therefore less likely to smell a rat than more experienced staff.

"Retailers are our front line defence against plastic card fraudsters and for this reason Card Watch is encouraging employers to ensure that these youngsters receive the best training and support to help them prevent card crime."

For further information about plastic card fraud, retailers can call Card Watch on 0990 500005 or write to: Card Watch Information Office, Freepost OF 438, PO Box 21, 47 Aylesbury Road, Thame, OX9 3BR.

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