Jetting off on holiday is always an exciting time.

Thoughts of sun, sea and sand in foreign lands puts most of us in a frame of mind far away from the day to day hustle and bustle of our normal routine.

Which is all the more reason we need to be extra careful when flashing the plastic in unfamiliar surroundings.

Incidents of tourists falling victim to stolen and copied card fraud has rocketed outside the UK, since the introduction of chip and pin six years ago.

Hundreds of thousands of British travellers sleepwalk into overseas scams and last year the figures had soared to 77%.

Fraudsters outside the UK find it easier to copy and duplicate cards in countries where retailers don't have chip-readers, but rely only on the information on the black magnetic strip on the back of the card.

If you travel regularly, but rarely bother to keep tabs on your bank and credit card statements, you could be setting yourself up for a nasty shock.

Follow these tips to keep your plastic safe abroad:

1. Leave your mobile number with your bank and credit card company.

They can call or text you if they spot unrecognised transactions taking place, when you are in another country.

2. Make the effort to let them know when and where you are travelling to.

It will help their analysts decide if it is you or a fraudster using your account - and avoid the inconvenience of you having your card blocked when you need it most.

3. Check your statements regularly and always after you return from abroad - so you can notify your bank or card issuer immediately if you find an unrecognised transaction.

Don't be fooled if the unrecognised purchase is only a small one. It may be a fraudster testing your card, to see if it works.

4. Register for online banking, so you can monitor your accounts when away from home.

5. Make a note of your bank and card issuer's reverse charge numbers and keep them in your mobile and diary.

If your card is lost or stolen while you are travelling, you will still be able to contact them easily. Most card issuers offer a 24-hour customer service.

6. Don't leave your cards unattended in a bag or in your clothing on the beach, while you swim.

Rent a room safe as soon as you book in to your hotel and keep your cards locked away when not in use.

7. Be aware of shoulder surfers when using cash machines abroad.

Using your free hand to cover the keypad as you punch in your numbers will help thwart this activity.

If someone is standing too close to you in a cash machine queue, they may be shoulder surfing and memorising your pin number.

8. Don't plonk your card on a waiter's tray in restaurants and let them walk away with it. Pay at the counter, or get the waiter to process the card at your table, while you watch.

Copying all your personal information on your cards magnetic strip, by swiping it on a hidden device - often carried under a fraudster's clothing - is much more easily done when your card is out of your sight.