Using credit cards abroad is 'more financially secure'

While many people find credit cards more convenient than travellers cheques when making purchases abroad, one expert has claimed that using a card is much safer as well.

A spokesperson for the UK payments association Apacs said that in many countries the only way to cash travellers cheques is by queuing at a bank, whereas credit cards are accepted in most places.

The use of the chip and pin system in UK means that most card users are becoming far more aware of the need for security, but a number of countries have yet to employ the same technology meaning the risk of fraud is higher, the spokesperson suggested.

"The good news is that if you're the victim, your bank will give the money back," she said.

"I think that's another reason why people use cards – because they know they don't lose out financially."

Earlier in the month, Apacs reported that £321 billion was spent on plastic cards in the UK last year, meaning cards now account for nearly a third of all consumer spending.

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