Proinsias De Rossa
Question:124 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps being taken by the Garda to combat the problem of credit card fraud; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14998/01]
Written Answers. - Credit Card Fraud.
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda is targeting credit card fraudsters, conducting searches, making arrests and instigating proceedings against offenders on a regular basis. The Garda bureau of fraud investigation – GBFI – is the specialist agency within An Garda Síochána with responsibility for the investigation of fraud related crime on a national basis. A special unit – the cheque-credit card fraud unit – within the GBFI participates in prevention awareness programmes throughout the country with business watch groups, chamber of commerce and hotel groups, in an effort to highlight fraud trends and offer advice for combating this form of criminal activity. This unit also participates in an All-Ireland fraud forum, which includes law enforcement agencies and credit card companies from both north and south of the Border, to discuss recent fraud trends and methodologies for countering them. Meetings are also held between this unit and the Irish Credit Bureau, which has a membership of over 30 credit lending institutions in Ireland, on a quarterly basis to discuss issues relevant to fraud. It also liaises with the individual credit lending agencies on a regular basis.
A fraud alert booklet was published by the GBFI in partnership with Pricewaterhouse Coopers and made available to all business-retailers throughout the country. Over 20,000 booklets have been distributed to date. Members of the GBFI also attend joint meetings held in Europol and Interpol with credit lending agencies and law enforcement agencies throughout Europe regarding non-cash means of payment.
The Criminal Justice (Fraud Offences) Bill which was published in 2000 and is currently on Committee Stage includes new offences to cover such areas as fraudulent conversion and obtaining by false pretences as well as modernising the law relating to forgery and counterfeiting.