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Early Warning has always been committed to helping the police to detect and prosecute credit card fraudsters. So much so we allow ALL police officers of any rank access into the CardAware ™ database. As the CardAware ™ database grows, it is and will be an invaluable tool in the fight against CNP fraud . The CardAware ™ database is regularly visited by police forces across the UK, evidence from such visits can be and is collated by these officers and is used to bring credit card fraudsters to book.
The DCPCU (The Dedicated Cheque and Plastic Crime Unit)
The CardAware ™ database is used on a daily basis by officers belonging to the DCPCU.
The Dedicated Cheque and Plastic Crime Unit was launched as a pilot project on 29 April 2002 to tackle those criminals working in organised networks to commit cheque and payment card fraud.
The two-year pilot was a resounding success and the Unit is continuing its work - now fully funded by the UK banking industry.
The Unit comprises 19 police officers drawn from the City of London and Metropolitan Police Forces. These officers are supported by investigators from the banking industry and case support staff.
The original focus of the Unit was counterfeiting. Whilst this remains one of its key areas of focus, the Unit now responds to a greater variety of types of fraud including:
- Cash machine fraud
- Mail non-receipt fraud
- Identity Fraud
- Card-not-present fraud (fraud on telephone, Internet, fax and mail order transactions)
- Cheque Fraud
As well as generating its own cases, the Unit receives referrals from banks, card companies and other police forces.
The main objectives of the Unit include: "to investigate, target and, where appropriate, arrest and seek the successful prosecution of offenders identified as responsible for organised cheque and payment card crimes."
Comments by Detective Chief Inspector Tony Thomas, Head of the Unit;
"The two-year pilot proved to be a great success; the Unit met its targets and we estimate that fraud losses of approximately £65 million were prevented.
The banking industry's decision to provide continued funding for the full running costs of the Unit is great news for us, but bad news for the criminal. My aim now is to build on the achievements of my predecessors, and we are reviewing the Unit's processes to enhance further its effectiveness.
Initially the Unit's work was mainly focused on criminals involved in the counterfeiting of plastic cards. Whilst this remains a priority area, we are increasingly focusing our efforts on other types of cheque and plastic card fraud and have already made considerable inroads. Investigations aimed at criminals involved in cash machine crime have resulted in a number of arrests, stopping several gangs in their tracks. We have also successfully targeted gangs involved in identity theft and fraud involving corrupt banking and retail staff."
For more details on the DCPCU and details of how to contact them click here
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