Gardaí are warning businesses in north county Dublin to be vigilant after a recent increase in credit card related fraud.

Irish consumers continue to favour debit cards over credit cards, according to a new analysis of spending patterns.

It has emerged that one in four Irish people have used their credit cards to pay for heat and light.

Most credit card owners have no idea what interest rate they pay — with more than a third estimating the interest level at between 18% and 24%.

Almost €6m was spent on credit and debit cards in June, a 6% increase since last year.

A couple who were caught with “an Aladdin's cave” worth of stolen items in a Dublin hotel room will be sentenced later for fraud, theft and criminal damage.

We are using our cards more than ever to pay for goods at tills around the country.

Banks in the UK and the US have banned the use of credit cards to buy Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, fearing a plunge in their value will leave customers unable to repay their debts.

British challenger bank Virgin Money Holdings saw a 26% rise in first-half underlying pretax profit, helped by growth in the bank’s core mortgages, savings and credit card businesses.

Irish consumers spent over €340m via debit card transactions outside of the Republic, during November alone, as shoppers continued to look online for value and avail of a weaker post-Brexit referendum sterling.

Barclays has completed the sale of its Spanish and Portuguese credit card business as the bank charges ahead with asset disposals as part of a company-wide overhaul.

Almost 90% of consumers are influenced by reviews read on social media.

Retailers could save up to €36m a year from a capping in fees for accepting debit and credit cards.

A voluntary redress scheme is being put in place for customers of card protection insurance by Homecare Insurance.

The cost of paying with plastic will be cut throughout the EU after European Parliament members voted overwhelmingly to cap their fees.

The National Youth Council is mounting a new campaign to warn young adults about the dangers of running up huge debts on credit cards.

Shoppers are being advised that they will have to use their PINs when using their credit cards to make purchases from March.