There has been a fall in the number of instances of credit card fraud during the first half of this year, when compared to the same period of 2010, Financial Fraud Action UK figures show.

It found that total fraud losses totalled £169.8 million between January and June, marking a nine per cent decline on figures from the first half of last year.

This half-year total is the lowest recorded for 11 years and is the third consecutive decrease seen by the group.

DCI Paul Barnard, head of the Dedicated Cheque and Plastic Crime Unit, explained that there is, however, no room for complacency.

"Your bank or the police will never cold call you or email you and ask you for your login details, cards or PINs," he revealed.

Other forms of fraud - namely cheque and phone banking - recorded a rise during the time period in question.