Credit Card Fraud....Police charge man 7 January 2014

Detectives warn people to be wary of credit card skimming following arrest of man - SCC Fraud and Cybercrime

Tuesday, 07 January 2014 04:17:09 PM

Detectives from the State Crime Command’s Fraud & Cybercrime Squad are reminding people of the importance of regularly checking their financial statements, following the arrest of a man for credit card skimming offences.

Earlier today (Tuesday 7 January 2013), police arrested a 38-year-old man at a property in Yagoona, before taking him to Bankstown Police Station where he was charged with:

Seven counts of dishonestly obtain financial advantage by deception;

Seven counts of recklessly dealing in the proceeds of crime; and

One count of possessing identity information to commit a serious offence.

He was bail refused to appear in Bankstown Local Court today. In court, police will allege the man used cloned credit cards to fraudulently purchase a number of goods from a retail outlet in Bondi Junction on Sunday 15 December 2013.

Police will allege the man is part of an organised crime group involved in high-level credit card fraud, and that his arrest and the seizure of the credit card manufacturing equipment will compromise the ability of the group to commit further frauds.

Officers will further allege that certain members of the group regularly dye their hair and alter their appearances in order to avoid detection when using fraudulent credit cards to purchase products.

The Acting Commander of the Fraud and Cybercrime Squad, Detective Acting Superintendent John Watson, said people should regularly check their credit card statements in order to quickly identify any suspicious transactions.

“These days most people can access their credit card balances and statements via their computers, tablets and smartphones,” Detective Acting Superintendent Watson said.

“People should check their statements regularly and if they spot a random purchase or any suspicious transactions they should contact their financial institution immediately.”

Strike Force Hereford is an ongoing Fraud and Cybercrime Squad investigation into the fraudulent use of skimmed and cloned credit cards. Inquiries are continuing and Strike Force Hereford detectives anticipate making further arrests.

Meanwhile, with many people hitting the shops as part of the January sales, police are urging consumers to protect their financial data and reduce the risk of their credit card and banking details being stolen:

• Be alert when approaching an ATM and take your time to visually inspect the machine prior to inserting your card for any suspicious device or covering in the vicinity of the card reader;
• If you notice something suspicious, report it to the owner of the ATM immediately and don't conduct any transactions;
• Always use your hand or an item to cover your PIN when entering it at an ATM or EFTPOS terminal;
• Never share your PIN with anyone, and do not write it down and keep it with your card;
• Never let your card out of your sight when paying for goods and services;
• Be vigilant and inspect your bank statements for unauthorised transactions and report any unauthorised transactions immediately to your bank; and
• Report any suspicious activity to the police.