Travellers urged to protect cards

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Britons travelling abroad this Bank Holiday are being warned to protect themselves against muggers after research revealed many holidaymakers carry wads of cash rather than cards in a bid to beat fraudsters.

Those who jet off for a weekend away carry an average of £209 in cash compared with just £21 on an average day at home in the UK, a survey for life assistance company CPP showed.

Card theft can ruin a short break, with many tourists facing the hassle of having to make a claim on their travel insurance policy once they return home. Six in 10 people prefer to carry cash than cards when abroad, while 84% of Britons say they are concerned about fraudulent activity when using their cards in cash machines or shops in foreign countries.

Kerry D'Souza, card fraud expert at CPP, said: "Card fraud abroad is a growing problem and we are urging Brits to be particularly vigilant when they travel abroad this bank holiday.

We are encouraging people to contact their banks before travelling, to keep their valuables out of sight once abroad, and to be especially careful when they use their credit and debit cards."

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