Warning...Shoppers are being warned to be extra careful when buying goods online this Christmas because cyber criminals will be out in force. Picture: Thinkstock. Source: Supplied

The Australian Payments and Clearing Association has released new figures showing a 28 per cent spike in card-not-present fraud — when the customer is not face-to-face with the retailer — on Australian cards in the 12 months to June this year.

The majority of offences involved offshore criminals.

WARNING: Australians urged to think before they click this Christmas

Australians watch out...Cyber criminals overseas have increasingly being targeting Australian credit cards after a spike in card-not-present fraud in the 12 months to June 2014. Picture: Supplied. Source: Supplied

The results showed card-not-present fraud rose from $199.2 million to $256.1 million — an average amount of $222 per card.

APCA chief executive officer Chris Hamilton warned consumers to only buy goods online from secure websites and to keep their computer security software up-to-date.

“People are often dealing with merchants they don’t know, we can buy stuff from anywhere in the world but there’s risks associated with that,’’ he said.

“Are people looking after those card details when you give them to them?

“Consumers should know who they are dealing with, if the website looks a little bit dodgy then make sure your PC software is up to date.”

The figures also showed counterfeit and skimming fraud at ATMs rose, climbing from $37.9 million to $42 million in the same period.

Be careful...Consumer watchdog Choice’s spokesman Matt Levey says customers should only buy goods from secure websites. Picture: News Corp Australia. Source: Supplied

Fraud on lost or stolen Australian credit cards increased from $30.5 million to $33.1 million.

Galaxy research, commissioned by Appliances Online, found four out of five Australian shoppers are confident about shopping online.

Of those who aren’t confident about 66 per cent said it was because they didn’t like making credit card transactions online for fear of falling victim to fraudsters.

Consumer watchdog Choice’s spokesman Matt Levey urged consumers to take care when buying from websites this Christmas period.

“Check your statements regularly and report any suspicious transactions as soon as possible,’’ he said.

“Only shop at websites that use a secure payment facility indicated by a locked padlock in the right-hand corner and https:// in the address line.”