Card protection

[missprim]

Recently received my new debit card from the bank and had to phone someone to activte it. The woman asked if I would be interested in taking out a card protection plan, �29 a year or �70 for three years.This is because of all the fraud that goes on with people taking info from your card when paying for stuff on the internet or even when you pay for petrol at some garages and of course if someone has tampered with the ATM.
Is it worth it for peace of mind?

[Ethel]

I have sentinel, provided at no cost with one credit card and covers all my credit cards.

As long as you take all reasonable care of your card and details, you should not be liable for any fraudulent activity beyond your control.

I w''ouldn't pay for the 'protection' you've been offered.

[missprim]

Thanks Ethel but I think it must be quite easy for cards to be used in this way no matter how careful you are.I try not to use my card for payments on the internet but I once used it to pay my phone bill.Next thing all these payments were coming out of my account for mobile top up's. A friend of mine used her M&S credit card to make a payment for something then someone got her details and used it to pay for up to �600 worth of stuff, now she has to prove to the bank that it wasn't her.

[Ethel]

My bank has provided me with a swipe card, which must be used for all online transactions. As long as I have used it (impossible not to really) I am not responsible for any fraudulent activities on my card.

Another credit card I use asks me for my secret word whenever I use it online - this is a bank popup, not the store. If I don't use the validation word, I can't pay.

If some companies can take these measures - they all should.

If it worries you, buy the protection.

But check the small print of both the protection plan and the cards you have Lloyds TSB, for example, guarantee you won't be liable for fraud if you have taken reasonable precautions.

[Postdog]

I had a similar thing with me, and it wasn't just for the card, but for ALL ID theft. I was quite flush at the time, so I said OK, but I think it all boils down to (apart from what we HAVE to insure) what we feel is relevant. I have always poo poohed private medical insurance, but being off work with a dodgy knee and having to rely on the NHS, I wish I had gone for it now.

[missprim]

Thanks Ethel and Postdog, I have received the information pack this morning so I will have a good look through it before I decide.