For media related enquiries, FAQs, publications, and press releases

For media related enquiries e-mail press@apacs.org.uk or telephone:

Mark Bowerman on 020 7711 6251

Jemma Smith on 020 7711 6340

Sandra Quinn on 020 7711 6234

Press releases associated with Card Watch are listed below. Read each release by clicking on the headline or date.

19 / 11 / 2008

Specialist UK police unit scoops prestigious international award

The Dedicated Cheque and Plastic Crime Unit (DCPCU) - the banking industry-sponsored special police unit that tackles cheque and card fraud crime in the UK - has won the 2008 European Investigation Unit of the Year award. The European arm of the International Association of Financial Crime Investigators (IAFCI) presided over the award and the DCPCU were adjudged joint winners, along with the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation.

17 / 10 / 2008

Consumers advised to Be Card Smart this Christmas

- ‘Be Card Smart Online’ campaign launches on 20 October
- Online shoppers set to spend 15 per cent more this December than last
- Research shows consumers can still do more to stay safe online
- Banks, card schemes, retailers and the Home Office come together to promote safer online shopping

01 / 10 / 2008

APACS announces latest fraud figures

- Plastic card fraud losses up 14% to £301.7m in first six months of 2008
- Fraud abroad accounts for 40% of total card fraud losses
- Online banking fraud losses up by 185% to £21.4m
- Cheque fraud losses up by 35% to £20.4m

25 / 09 / 2008

PAYMENTS INDUSTRY REVEALS GROWTH IN 'MONEY MULE' FRAUD ACTIVITY

- More than 870 recruitment adverts for money mules detected in first half of 2008
- Consumers urged to avoid being duped into helping fraudsters
- Online guide launched offering help and advice

22 / 09 / 2008

MAJOR INCREASE IN VOLUME OF CARDS SIGNED UP TO TACKLE ONLINE SHOPPING FRAUD

More than 25 million credit and debit cards now signed up to secure online payment systems Verified by Visa and MasterCard SecureCode - an increase of nearly 600% in the past two years

Over 1.5m cards registered every month – an increase of 650% compared with two years ago Payments industry continues to encourage cardholders to sign up and make their cards safer when shopping online

22 / 08 / 2008

APACS responds to latest CPP release

In their latest release dated 22 August, ‘Forecast is hot for fraud this Bank Holiday’, CPP offers incorrect information when claiming that Spain and France are “… the top spots where Brits fall victim to card theft”. Our latest statistics, provided directly by our member banks, show that fraud in France on UK issued cards has decreased by £4.3million1 in two years, and France has dropped to fourth place for where fraud on our cards is committed.

13 / 08 / 2008

Organised gang’s card fraud factory busted by specialist police unit

- Dedicated Cheque and Plastic Crime Unit make arrests in West Midlands
- Stolen PIN pads and 100s of fake cards seized from counterfeit card factory

24 / 07 / 2008

Number of people banking online increases more than 500% in past seven years

- Over half of all internet users now bank online
- APACS issues security advice guide to help consumers avoid becoming a victim of online banking fraud
- Number of phishing scams continues to increase

APACS has published a Banking Safely Online advice guide to help remind online banking customers of the need to stay vigilant and follow simple safety procedures when banking online.

19 / 05 / 2008

APACS and ABTA issue payments advice as UK travellers use their cards for half of all overseas spending

APACS, the UK payments association, and ABTA, the travel association, have today (19 May 2008) published a consumer advice guide – Using your plastic overseas – which provides tips and useful information for holidaymakers and business travellers who will be using their cards abroad this summer.

15 / 04 / 2008

As phishing scams increase, payments industry reminds consumers - don’t take the bait

- Consumers urged to remain vigilant of the risks of phishing scams
- More than 10,000 reported phishing incidents during January to March 2008
- Almost 1 in 3 people don’t have any anti-spyware software on their computer

12 / 03 / 2008

Fraud abroad pushes up losses on UK cards following two-year fall

- Card fraud losses up by 25%: increase is driven by £90.5 million rise in fraud abroad as more UK card details stolen for use in countries yet to upgrade to chip and PIN
- UK continues to benefit from implementation of chip and PIN: other countries urged to follow suit
- Online banking fraud losses down 33% to £22.6 million

10 / 03 / 2008

Enhanced intelligence unit created to aid fight against fraud

• New intelligence database also unveiled to enable improved information sharing amongst banks and police

• Banking industry contribution to fraud-fighting unit increases to £5m per year

13 / 02 / 2008

Impressive year for unique police unit

The Dedicated Cheque and Plastic Crime Unit (DCPCU) – the special police unit that tackles cheque and card fraud criminals – was responsible for £107 million in estimated fraud savings in 2007, new figures released today show. This compares with savings of £130 million achieved in the five years following the Unit’s launch in 2002.

March 2010 New Card & Banking Fraud Figures - click here to see the release

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