A large population of UK consumers have admitted to have fallen victim of credit card fraud or know someone who has, a new survey has found.

The survey, conducted by CyberSource, a payment technology firm, found that a third of the UK population have been hit by credit card fraud.

The figures have raised concerns amongst more internet shoppers.

The study revealed that 41 per cent of the 1000 British consumers surveyed did not use the internet to buy online because of their concerns on its security.

Two thirds of those who do shop online however, said that their cards care protected after signing up for MasterCard SecureCode or Verified by Visa.

Simon Stokes, CyberSource managing director said: "The challenge to the industry is educating consumers to shop safely, to minimise their exposure to fraud.

As more people gain access to the internet and realise the convenience, value, and safety of shopping online, I believe we'll see a higher percentage trying and staying with this form of purchase."

Meanwhile, new research has revealed that more Brits are failing to make credit card payments.

The research, by Fitch Ratings found that there had been a severe increase in the number of failing to make credit card payments towards the end of 2008.