Consumers are losing millions of rand every year as credit card fraud skyrocketed in South Africa over the past three years.

This had increased in the 2006/2007 financial year to 97 percent. From last year up until present, it had gone up by another 57 percent.

Gauteng was at 46,7 percent, the Western Cape was at 19 percent and KwaZulu-Natal was at 17,2 percent,

Groceries stores were the most targeted last year and this year it’s liquor stores that are at the top of the list.

The device was being imported, particularly from China, and could be bought easily over the internet.

The black device - which is about the size of cigarette lighter - copies data from the magnetic strip on the back of bank cards and each device can be used to copy about 2 000 cards.

It’s an offence just to be in possession of this device, caught in possession of one could land one a 5 year prison term.

People must be smart and alert at all times so criminals can stop abusing the commercial space.