Celebrating Success: Credit Card Crime Squad

In April of 2002 the Dedicated Cheque and Plastic Crime Unit or DCPCU set up a special task force to help prevent credit card crimes. Two years after the creation of the credit card crime squad the UK police recovered 36,000 cards, and arrested 171 felons. It was estimated that ₤65m in fraudulent losses were prevented from occurring due to the efforts of the DCPCU.

The DCPCU is dedicated to targeting the organised gangs that are responsible for most of the UK credit card losses. These organised gangs are responsible for ₤402m of the card fraud losses that have been exacted in previous years. Even for UK citizens who believe they have the best credit cards available have been affected by these organised gangs. The gangs work to counterfeit the actual credit cards and then clone the information from stolen cards. The operation uses a sophisticated factory- style that continues to replicate the best credit cards that are out there. The DCPCU has successfully prosecuted members of these gangs as well as other frauds. The DCPCU has also been able to handle other criminal activities such as drugs, illegal immigrants, and counterfeit goods. It has been found that the credit card fraud gangs are funding these other criminal activities.

Since its creation the DCPCU has had 52 convictions from 171 arrests. The DCPCU will continue to make arrests regarding credit card fraud activities as well as the other criminal activities going on in the hopes of restoring credit card safety to consumers. Like consumers they want to have the best credit cards available to help the economy.

The DCPCU was created with officers seconded from the City of London and Metropolitan Police forces. They are funded by banking intelligence and administration from the financial services industry. In fact the DCPCU is staffed by officers and jointly funded by the banking industry and Home Office. So far ₤3m in funding has been secured to help the operations continue from UK banks. Banks and other financial companies wish to ensure the best credit cards are available for consumer and will be able to do this with the police fighting these gang organisations.

According to the Detective Chief Inspector Tony Thomas they are happy to find gratification in the arrests and convictions of the last few years and will continue to seek more. They are hopeful and grateful for the chance to continue. They also hope to add more staff to beat the criminals.

The best credit cards available are going to be the ones that offer security protection on the cards to help combat these fraudulent activities. It is very important that even with the best credit cards individuals are aware of the activities and help to prevent their card from winding up in the losses. The DCPCU is trying to educate individuals as well as stop these organisations from creating more losses. With the success of the first few years it seems to be working as more criminals are taken off the streets.

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