5 most common fraud cases

The European Commission has studied the industry of cashless payment solutions and came to conclusion that purchases of flight tickets online as well as meals at restaurants are the most risky transactions. Having studied all the materials on fraud suits occurred between 2004 and 2007, purchase of flight tickets is less secured and, as a result, this kind of crime is the most common one. 

"Online fraud is considered the easiest due to the relative simplicity of stealing an identity in the online world," says the report.

Report also notes gaming and gambling online industry. As for offline fraud cases, the so-called skimming takes the lead/ It is frequently used in restaurants by waiters with sticky fingers. To do that, they use special devices: scimmers that read the necessary ID information from the plastic cards when the clients don't see it.

The Commission also specified 5 most common kinds of fraud: "The airlines, travel agencies and gaming and gambling sectors have been identified as weak areas. Crimes related to eBanking - the use of online bank accounts - are increasing as web services continue to spread."

Customers don't trust payment systems much.  According to statistics less than one of 5 residents of the EU makes purchases online. The lowest level is in Malta.

The Commission also added that the development of the Single Euro Payments Area (Sepa) would also strengthen security and trust of consumers by building the legislative framework.