Holiday-makers need to take precautions against identity theft when they are abroad, online credit report service, MyCallcredit, has claimed.

It said that many people thought identity theft was a UK based problem, however, last year fraud committed abroad on UK cards amounted to £82.8m.

Callcredit director Melanie Mitchley, said: “When on holiday, it is all too easy to adopt a relaxed frame of mind and become less vigilant about keeping belongings safe. It is precisely this lapsed approach that thieves home in on, they are professionals at targeting tourists and they are only too aware that people are likely to have lots of personal information with them whilst away.”

MyCallcredit suggests a number of ways to take care of your ID whilst on holiday. It said people should limit the number of cards they take with them – as that makes monitoring transactions simple.

It also told people to be vigilant when using their cards, and urged them to lock passports away in hotel safes to make sure they are safe.