I propose to take Questions Nos. 980 and 989 together.
I can assure the Deputies that I do appreciate the concerns of both retailers and consumers with regard to the issue of on-line and credit card fraud and the prevalence of such activity.
In the context of our criminal law enforcement efforts to combat fraudulent activity these particular forms of fraud feature prominently, both nationally and at European level.
Of course, issues concerning the operation of payment services systems and best practice in doing business on-line fall within the remit of a number of Departments and Agencies, and in this regard there is ongoing cooperation at national level between An Garda Síochána and relevant actors in seeking to raise awareness and provide crime prevention advice.
In this regard An Garda Síochána works in co-operation with the various agencies, including the Irish Payment Services Organisation Ltd (IPSO), the Irish Banking Federation (IBF), payment card issuers and retailers to reduce this type of crime via education of the various methodologies used and by ongoing awareness raising of such fraud. Examples of this include the publication in March of this year by An Garda Síochána (done in conjunction with the PSNI, IPSO and IBF) of a guide to fraud prevention entitled "Be Aware Beat Fraud". and both the Garda and IPSO websites contain links with information on crime prevention methods in this regard.
Furthermore An Garda Síochána, through the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation Payment Card Unit, continues to co-operate with the various international police forces and agencies, including Europol and Interpol to target online fraud.
Work is also undertaken by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources through its Make IT Secure Campaign, which is fully supported by An Garda Síochána, which aims to improve the awareness of risks arising from increased use of IT in everyday life. In addition, IPSO maintains statistics in relation to payment fraud, issues regular alerts of card fraud scams and provides advice to consumers and businesses in relation to how to keep their payments and financial information secure. The Irish Bankers Federation also provides fraud prevention tips to consumers through publications such as its Guard your Cards booklet.
Regarding the issue raised concerning information being made available to online retailers regarding suspected or actual fraudulent activity, I can say that while any exchange of information would have to have regard to data protection legislation, section 94 of the European Communities (Payment Service) Regulations, 2009 provides for appropriate processing of personal data by a payment system or service provider for the purposes of the prevention, investigation and detection of payment fraud.
In terms of the nature and extent of this type of fraud, I am advised that the Irish Payment Services Organisation Ltd (IPSO) website identifies that following an estimated increase of payment card fraud of 24% year on year from 2009 to 2011, card fraud has decreased by 21% in the value of fraud losses in 2012 compared to the preceding year. It is estimated that an approximate total of €20.4 million was lost to fraud on Irish issued payment cards (including credit, debit and ATM cards) in 2012. This compares with an equivalent estimated figure of €25.7 million worth of losses recorded in 2011. However, I am also informed that the instances of online fraud involving the use of payment cards against retailers who engage in the sale of goods on the internet has increased for a number of factors including the increased use of the internet as a point of sale for retailers and the increased usage and availability of payment cards.
In response to this, members of the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation engage with IPSO and the IBF on an ongoing basis on the latest forms of fraudulent attacks. Where new fraud trends are identified they are immediately distributed to the various fraud forums in place including retailer associations and via media reports. The use of secure payments systems and maintenance of up to date anti-fraud protocols can prove extremely effective in preventing retailers becoming a victim of such fraud.
Finally I would stress that retailers and consumers must be as proactive as possible in all of this area and ensure that they avail of the existing security and fraud prevention measures and advices when making payments online by only using secure online payment methods and by promptly reporting unauthorised transactions immediately to their bank all of which is vital in counteracting online fraud. Where fraud does occur it should be brought to the attention of Garda authorities who have my full support in targeting such fraudulent activity.
