Anti-fraud credit cards 'a success'

A similar pin number system in France reduced crime

A survey has suggested that a credit card trial in Northampton has been a success - and many people want it expanded across the country.

The Chip and Pin technology - being piloted by 600 businesses in the town - is designed to cut credit card fraud.

Customers using their cards insert PIN numbers when buying, instead of signing a receipt.

Despite some teething problems, three quarters of people questioned in a survey said they were willing to adopt it across the UK.

Reduce credit card fraud

Instead of signing for goods, the users have entered a four-digit pin number.

The UK banking industry is hoping the system, which has been commonplace in several European countries for a number of years, will reduce credit card fraud.

Credit card fraud cost Britain an estimated £420m last year.

The new technology is aimed at combating the growing problem of "skimming" - the most common method of counterfeit fraud.

The magnetic strip on the back of cards, is copied by fraudsters using a handheld card reader.

The card can then be "cloned".

The new cards have a thumbnail-size microchip that stores personal data more securely than the magnetic stripe, making it harder to counterfeit.