Crime prevention Advice

FRAUDULENT CHEQUES AND CREDIT CARDS,

Every year businesses lose substantial amounts of money by accepting valueless cheques.  Yet, of all crimes, cheque and credit card fraud is one of the easiest to stop, provided that every member of the staff is taught to follow a few simple, unbreakable rules.

ESTABLISH A CLEAR-CUT POLICY AND DO NOT PERMIT EXCEPTIONS

Authorise one, or at the most two, senior staff members per department to accept, or give permission to accept, cheques or credit cards.

Unless the customer is very well known, courteously ask for identification.  Bankcards, for example, or even personal letters.

If the customer does not sign the cheque in your presence, ask for a further signature on the back.  Compare cheque signature with Bankcard signature or endorsement.

In addition, ask customers to write full name, address and telephone number and check telephone directory for confirmation.

SENSIBLE CUSTOMERS UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF IDENTIFICATION AND WON'T OBJECT.

CREDIT CARDS

The Credit Card is a modern phenomenon; buy now, pay later.  Some people try to avoid paying at all. All card games have rules. Here are a few that could save you money.

If you are suspicious or in doubt, make that authorization call. Have the person presenting the card, sign the voucher.  Take card, voucher and goods to the telephone when making your call.

Where does the customer take the card from?  Is the card withdrawn as a single item out of a shirt pocket?  If it is, be suspicious.  Legitimate cards are usually kept in a card holder or wallet.

Watch for the card that has been altered or has expired; check to see that the letters are properly embossed.

CHEQUES

Never accept a cheque signed by someone other than the person presenting it, unless you know both parties.

Be very wary if accepting cheques from juveniles.  Apart from the fact that the cheque could be stolen or forged, civil redress is very difficult.

Never give change. People who try to pass bad cheques usually want money.

Where possible, a reliable safeguard is to casually note and accurately record, on the back of the cheque or sales voucher, the registered number of the customer's vehicle.

Ensure sufficient details of goods sold are listed on the voucher to identify the transaction if querried at a later date.

Check the 'hot card' list for every cheque sale.

Cheques not correctly or completely filled out.  Watch out for post-dated or stale (older than six months) cheques and do not accept them.

Don't judge people by appearances. Professional confidence tricksters need to be well-dressed and charming to succeed at all!

If you are in serious doubt, obtain additional identification such as a credit card, address and phone number.

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