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Online fraudsters lured to travel industry

Consumers booking holidays on the internet may want to ensure they enter their financial details only on secure websites or they risk becoming victims of financial fraud.

According to UK payments body the Association of Payment Clearing Services (Apacs), the very nature of the travel and tourism industry makes it lucrative for fraudsters.

The organisation's head of public relations Jemma Smith said that the travel sector "has always been and will always be a target for card fraudsters".

"If you get hold of somebody's card details then one of the things you may want to do is to buy air tickets," she explained.

Figures from electronic payment and risk management solutions provider CyberSource Ltd show that in 2008 airlines around the world lost more than $1.4 billion (£944 million) to online fraudsters.

Online security specialist Unisys published its security index last month, which showed that 88 per cent of consumers are fearful of people obtaining and using their credit card, debit card or bank account details fraudulently.

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