EXPERTS on credit card fraud were in town to crack down on the con artists who scam millions of pounds from businesses each year.

About 50 representatives from Swindon companies attended a seminar at Swindon Central police station to hear about the latest trends in high street fraud and how to detect fake credit cards.

Former detective Brian Miller from the Association for Payment Clearing Services revealed some of the techniques used by the fraudsters, from making cloned copies of existing credit cards to stealing credit card information using hand held swipers.

He said: "Credit card fraud costs has risen dramatically over the last few years as criminal gangs have grown increasingly sophisticated.

"In the industry we are making great strides in keeping up with them. This seminar today is all about giving people the knowledge to identify these fraudsters. These checks take seconds."

One of those who attended the event, manager of the Swindon Sony Centre Dave James, said: "It was a very worthwhile seminar. A lot of it was going over things that most of us in the retail trade have heard many times before, but it is always a good thing to refresh yourselves on what to look out for.

"It was fascinating to find out more about how these criminal gangs operate. They have become so sophisticated now that it is all about upping our game to keep one step ahead.

"Although the statistics seem to say that this form of crime is getting more common, I could not say we have noticed. Over the years I have picked up on a few dodgy cards, but thankfully not that often."

In 1999 fraud cost credit card companies an estimated 189 million but in 2001 it had risen to 411 million.