January’s Most Important Signing? Your bank card

With the football transfer window closing on February 2nd, talk of who’s signing where is everywhere. But our latest research suggests there’s another signature most of us are forgetting - and skipping it could land you with a financial red card.

Most Brits haven’t signed their bank cards

We asked people across the UK about their bank card habits and found that only 24% of Brits have signed the signature strip on the back of their credit and debit cards. That means more than three quarters (76%) are carrying cards that are technically invalid.^[1]

It gets worse. Almost 94% didn’t realise an unsigned card could be void and just  24% said they still carry and use physical cards, with most now relying on digital payments instead.

Going contactless might feel effortless, but physical cards haven’t disappeared, and they definitely shouldn’t be left unsecured.

Why leaving your card unsigned is riskier than you think

That little strip on the back isn’t just for show. Leaving it blank doesn’t only break the rules, it can also make your card easier to misuse.

Between January and June 2025, more than two million card fraud incidents were reported in the UK. During the same period, ‘Card Not Present’ fraud rose by 22%, making it easier for criminals to misuse stolen card details online or in-store.^[2]

On average, victims lose around £300 per incident, and getting that money back is becoming harder. With AI-generated fake identities on the rise - and over 118,000 identity fraud cases recorded by Cifas in the first half of 2025 - overlooking something as simple as a signature can have serious financial consequences.^[3]

How Cardholders Can Protect Themselves

Kara Gammell, credit expert at MoneySuperMarket, explains: “Signatures aren’t just a bit of ink. They help to verify transactions, protect cardholders legally, and act as a first line of defence against fraud.

Signing a card is one of the quickest and easiest ways to add an extra layer of protection. It takes seconds, yet could save hundreds of pounds and a great deal of stress if something goes wrong.”

To help people sign smarter, we teamed up with renowned handwriting expert and graphologist Tracey Trussell, who shares practical advice on creating a signature that’s both authentic and hard to copy.

How to create a fraud-proof signature

Tracey’s says a strong, fraud-resistant signature comes down to three things:

1. Originality

2. Speed

3. Complexity

Tracey explains: “Your signature is consciously designed - which means it’s completely within your control. The small quirks and deviations that develop over time are what make handwriting authentic, individual, and legally trustworthy.”

Tracey’s expert tips explained

Tip 1: Successful signatures champion natural, organic, original handwriting

“You don’t need to overthink it – just write naturally. Human beings are all different, so it is normal that original handwriting is replete with character and style, distinctive and exclusive to the writer. It’s all the subtle differences and inconsistencies in your unique style that constitute a window of authenticity.”

Tip 2: Fraud-proof signatures rely on speed

“You don’t need to overthink it – just write quickly. Speed is hard to replicate, so the absence of spontaneity is always suspicious. Someone who tries to copy your signature will inevitably write (more) slowly and carefully and will be unable to reproduce your normal speed, energy and rhythm, as well as the natural look of your signature, simultaneously.”

Tip 3: Complexity is key

“Like online passwords, make your signature strong. The more complex the content, the more watertight your chances of being fraud-proof. So, write your name in full, including your middle name if you have one.

“If your name is short, add some distinguishing features – perhaps something you wouldn’t necessarily expect to see, and which could be easily missed. For example, a full stop at the end. It’s small but significant and could be easily overlooked or forgotten in a forgery.

“A longer signature will give a potential forger more margin for error, and the addition of tiny details, anomalies and mannerisms are unlikely to be picked up by someone trying to copy your autograph fraudulently.

“One of the biggest mistakes people commonly make is to neglect and oversimplify their signature. For example, they may sign off with a straight, thready, or wiggly line, lacking in any structure and legibility. Illegible handwriting can work well, but only within a well-developed and orderly frame.”

Make Every Signature Count

Signing your card might feel like a tiny action, but it can make a meaningful difference when it comes to protecting your money, and your identity.

Sometimes, the most important signing of January isn’t a footballer after all!

Sources

1.  Research conducted by Censuswide surveying 1,000 UK adults in January 2025.  

2. UK Finance’s Half Year Fraud Report (2025)

3. Cifas Intelligence Report (2025)