The threat of credit card fraud is causing concern among consumers, it has been revealed.

Over three quarters of Brits are worried about identity theft yet two thirds admit they don't know how to protect themselves, according to a survey for Lloyds TSB.

The poll of 1000 UK adults, conducted by ICM, also shows 39% of respondents feel more at risk to ID theft than they did six months ago.

Over half (52 per cent) of those concerned about ID theft believe that the recession has increased the risk as rising unemployment drives more people towards criminal activity and ID theft.

Coupled with this, is the fear expressed by two thirds of people (57 per cent) that social networking sites have made it easier to steal personal details - a 10% increase on those with the same worries last year.

The study shows that as many as two in five Brits (38 per cent) have experienced ID fraud, half of those (18 per cent) having been victims personally.

However, two thirds (57 per cent) of those surveyed admit that they have not done enough to protect themselves and one quarter (25 per cent) don't know how.

A spokesman for Lloyds TSB, said: "As technology improves, it gets easier and easier for criminals to steal our identities and during tough economic times the temptation becomes greater."

"Protecting ourselves by shredding documents and protecting passwords is a good start, but having someone else keep an eye on your ID offers extra peace of mind."

The latest figures from CIFAS, the UK's fraud prevention service, show that nearly 60,000 UK residents have fallen victim to ID fraud so far this year - a 36% increase when compared with the first nine months of 2008.

Data from CIFAS also shows that the cost to individual victims of ID theft can often reach £8,000.