Banks are considering adopting debit and credit cards where the security code changes every hour, to keep ahead of online fraudsters.

UK financial institutions are looking at the technology which has unveiled in France last year.

The new cards replace the printed three-digit security code on the back of the card with a mini screen which displays a random code that changes automatically every hour.

The development is encouraged today in a National Audit Office report that warns police forces are not doing enough to tackle the growing threat of online fraud.

The NAO said new cards with changing numbers could be “a positive step, as the re-design may help to stop an increase in online card fraud. However, such a plan requires all card providers to participate."