Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 March 2012
153 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he intends to introduce measures to support retailers in combating fraudulent online purchases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13262/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra154 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on the work of the Garda fraud investigation bureau in combatting identity theft, including card fraud; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13263/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra155 Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will outline any recourse available to retailers who have been victims of card fraud; if his attention has been drawn to the particular difficulties online retailers have in verifying credit card purchases as the purchased items have often been shipped before the fraud is identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13264/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 153 to 155, inclusive, together.
The Deputy will appreciate that the questions posed raise issues that would go beyond the remit of my Department, including matters concerning the operation of payment services systems and best practice in doing business on-line. Of course, I do appreciate that in the current economic climate, the challenges faced by retailers who struggle to maintain profitability, bring into ever sharper focus the losses that can be incurred through fraudulent activity.
We know that transactions carried out on-line, generally referred to as Card Not Present transactions, do present an added risk to the retailer given neither the presence of the card nor the cardholder, and the fact that a PIN is not used. I am informed by the Garda authorities, that the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation (GBFI), for its part, regularly offers crime prevention advice in regard to Card Not Present fraud as crime trends in this area demand or necessitate, with information provided to alert retailers, industry and the public in general. In addition, initiatives targeting those involved in this type of criminality are frequently undertaken by GBFI.
The Payment Card & Counterfeit Currency Unit (PCCCU) at GBFI is the designated National Unit with primary responsibility for the investigation of Payment Card Fraud in all its guises. Members of the PCCCU work closely with Europol and other European and international law enforcement agencies in targeting groups that are involved in this type of criminality. Nationally, the PCCCU liaises directly with the industry through the Irish Payment Card Services Organisation (IPSO) and the Irish Banking Federation (IBF). The PCCCU also works in close association with the National Crime Prevention Office in raising public awareness and delivering crime prevention advice.
I am also informed that the card payments industry, together with GBFI, continues to promote the use of security features / authentication systems among on-line retailers as a proven tool to reduce both losses and risks to the retailer. Of course, retailers must be proactive in this regard and ensure that they avail of all the security and fraud prevention methods that are available. Where fraud does occur it should be brought to the attention of the Garda authorities.
More generally, I should mention that as part of the White Paper on Crime process, which is under way at the moment, there has been extensive consultation on a range of matters including fraud and best practice in crime prevention. The outcome of the consultation process will be reflected in the proposed White Paper, which will set out the overall policy framework for future strategies to combat crime.
