NEW figures show card fraud in our region is up.

Losses increased 12% in Yorkshire and Humberside from £11.4m to £12.8m in the first half of this year, but nationally the figure was down 5%.

Sandra Quinn, spokeswoman for payments association APACS, welcomed the national figures but believes there is more to be done.

She said: "These latest figures show that the industry's efforts are making their mark.

"However, each and every one of us can also help defeat fraudsters by keeping personal information safe and secure."

The new research published today shows that a quarter of people in Yorkshire have told their PIN number to someone else while 41% have let their card out of their sight when paying in restaurants.

And 27% of people in Yorkshire and Humberside use the same number for all their cards.

Here are ten ways to foil the fraudsters:

* Never let your card out of your sight when paying.

* Shred any document with personal financial information before disposing of it.

* Don't disclose your PIN number to unsolicited emailers.

* Shield the screen when entering your PIN number.

* Don't keep your PIN numbers written down.

* Give your card details over the phone only to a company you trust.

* Install up-to-date firewall software on your computer.

* If you have registered for online card protection, keep your password safe.

* Never go to a shopping website via a link from an email.

* Look for the locked padlock icon when shopping online.