Credit card fraud hits SMEs in Perth
It has been reported recently that SMEs in Pe3rth are being hit with a wave of credit card fraud, and authorities have now warned that businesses in the area now need to be more vigilant.
Credit card fraud is something that has affected many consumers all over Australia, and with fraudsters using increasingly sophisticated methods more and more people have found themselves falling victim to this type of crime. However, it is not just consumers’ personal credit card details that are at risk, as a recent report has shown.
According to reports SMEs in the Perth area are now at increased risk of becoming victims of credit card fraud, with authorities in the area stating that gangs are targeting SMEs and using a method called credit card ’skimming’ to conduct their fraudulent activities. Authorities are now warning SMEs to be on their guard.
An official from Electronic Frontiers Australia said that businesses need to ensure that their credit card machines were safe, stating: “This is a tricky issue, because what you’re trying to do is different than using an anti-virus program on a computer. The best practice is to be careful when using EFTPOS machines. Does it look normal? Does the plastic card seem to stick when sliding through? If the plastic looks different or is a different colour to the rest of the machine, you can be reasonably concerned.”
The shadow attorney general in WA said: “It is clear there is a need to protect Western Australians from these widespread scams following revelations of a scam targeting EFTPOS machines in WA. The current laws are inadequate and police are helpless to arrest and successfully prosecute people who attempt to steal bank details using skimming devices or any other method.”
Source - Smart Company