Credit Card, Cheque, Company Fraud Offences

Question 1

Investigating Credit Card and Cheque Fraud Step 1

Answer 1

Interview the informant / complainant

• Find out the identity used by the offender
• Obtain descriptions of the offender, property obtained and the vehicle used.

Question 2

Step 2

Answer 2

In all cases contact the account manager at the bank where the account is domiciled and find out:

• The account holder’s full name, occupation, private and business address and telephone numbers
• the date the account was opened
• the account history and how it has been operated
• the date the cheque book or credit card was reported missing
• how and by whom a loss was reported
• the serial numbers of any missing cheque
• details of cheques dishonoured and returned
• whether the account holder is suspected of issuing valueless cheques.

Question 3

Step 3

Answer 3

When an account has been opened with fictitious details, find out:

• The account number and date it was opened
• the nature and amount of the first deposit
• details of any other deposits
• details used when the account was opened
• descriptions of the suspect and any of their associates at the time
• name and addresses of employee who opened the account and any other employees who can identify the suspect. Interview the employees and obtain statements
• serial numbers of cheques applied
• details of the dishonoured cheques and the people or firms defrauded.

Question 4

Step 4

Answer 4

Obtain a sample of the suspect’s handwriting from bank documents.

Question 5

Step 5

Answer 5

When cheques are dishonoured through lack of funds, interview the account holder and obtain a statement that includes:

• the suspect’s full name, address, occupation, age
• date account was opened
• the nature and amount of first deposit, cash, tax refund or stolen cheque
• any arrangements for regular deposits such a direct crediting of wages, and the dates and amounts of irregular ones
• details of any overdraft arrangement - check the banks diary notes for any extension to this
• the general pattern of the way the account has been operated
• the state of the account at the time the cheques were issued
• whether the suspect was aware of the state of the account. If so, fin out when and by whom the suspect was informed. Obtain any correspondence asking him or her not to issue any more cheques and confirm this was not returned to the bak undelivered
• details of the dishonoured cheques and the people or firms defrauded
• the amount of savings in other accounts.

Question 6

Step 6

Answer 6

Contact other Police Stations and Fraud Squads that may hold related complaints and information. Investigations into serious fraud/deception offending must be co-odinated, and one office or station must take responsibility for this.

Question 7

Step 6

Answer 7

Find out whether the offender was photographed or their image captured on CCTV at the bank or retail outlet and obtain the images.

Question 8

Ongoing enquiries

Answer 8

Because documents need to examined for fingerprints or by a document examiner. DO NOT:

• punch, fold or crease them
• use staples, pins, sellotape
• make impressions on them when writing minutes on the file.

Place them on file in a clear plastic bag.