Small businesses have little or no protection since they pick up the bill for such transactions.
There are fears that the level of fraud may undermine the Government's policy of encouraging more small firms to trade on the internet. Emergency measures introduced by major credit card issuers to stem the tide of fraud should be in place by the autumn. But the Forum of Private Business insists that small businesses need greater protection and that card issuers should take more responsibility. The type of fraud on the increase involves people buying goods over the phone or on the internet using someone else's credit card number. They may have found the details from receipts left in bins or from contacts who work in restaurants or shops.