Special police unit busts card fraud phone scam gang

• Two people arrested in connection with phone scam fraud targeting Asian community
• The work of the DCPCU to be highlighted on BBC1’s The One Show on Tuesday 21 April

The Dedicated Cheque and Plastic Crime Unit (DCPCU) has made two significant arrests during raids targeting a gang associated with an old-style con-trick, which involves fraudsters duping unsuspecting cardholders into parting with card details and PINs by pretending to be from either their bank or card company. In this latest scam fraud gangs have looked to target cardholders within the Asian community, in particular Bangladeshis.

The scam begins with the fraudster phoning up, typically claiming to be from the security or fraud department of a card company, and saying that their records have flagged up a fraudulent transaction on the victim’s card. In a new variation on this scam, having gained their victim’s trust, the fraudster than sends a courier to collect the card and PIN, which the victim, unfortunately, hands over.

Two people were arrested in the King’s Cross area of London as a result of the DCPCU investigations into this scam. They were both interviewed and then released on police bail pending further enquiries, and the results of forensic investigations on equipment that was recovered.

Detective Chief Inspector John Folan, who commands the DCPCU and is a serving City of London police officer, said:

"The DCPCU continues to be an effective weapon in the battle against serious and organised crime. Our high quality detection and operational work results in successful raids such as these, which effectively disrupt the criminal elements responsible, sending out a clear deterrent message to other organised gangs.

"We work proactively to protect vulnerable communities and although recent frauds have targeted certain ethnic groups, everyone should be aware of this type of scam. To these ends you should never hand over financial details such as passwords and PINs as a result of someone cold-calling you over the phone – or sending you an email – no matter where they claim to be from. If you have any doubts when approached in this way you should hang up and call the organisation back on a number that you know is correct.”

As well as keeping card details safe and secure, there are a number of other common sense steps that cardholders can follow to help minimise the chances of being a victim of fraud:

• Don’t let your cards or your card details out of your sight when making a transaction.
• Destroy, preferably shred, any documents or receipts that contain personal financial information when you dispose of them.
• Register your cards with Verified by Visa or MasterCard SecureCode.
• Do not keep your passwords, login details and PINs written down.
• Do not disclose PINs, login details or passwords in response to unsolicited emails or telephone callers claiming to be from your bank, the card schemes or the police.
• When entering your PIN in a shop or at a cash machine use your free hand to shield the number from prying eyes or hidden cameras.
• Only divulge your card details in a telephone transaction when you have instigated the call and are familiar with the company.
• If you think a fraudster has obtained your card details or security information or you have been a victim contact your card company immediately.  

The work of the DCPCU is being shown as part of a feature on card fraud in BBC1’s The One Show, to be screened at 7pm on Tuesday 21 April.

For more information about card fraud prevention visit www.cardwatch.org.uk.

ENDS

For further information contact the UK Payments Press Office:

T: Mark Bowerman 020 7711 6251 / Jemma Smith 020 7711 6340 / Michelle Whiteman 020 7711 6316 E: press@ukpayments.org.uk

Notes to editors:

1 The Dedicated Cheque and Plastic Crime Unit (DCPCU) is a squad of specialist police officers and civilian staff set up in April 2002 to tackle the organised gangs responsible for much of the UK's card and cheque fraud. It is fully sponsored by the banking industry to the tune of approximately £5 million per year.

2 The City of London Police Force is the acknowledged lead force within the UK for economic crime investigation, and is dedicated to preventing and investigating fraud at all levels.