Preventing credit card fraud

Be alert for the customer who is nervous and wants the goods immediately; makes purchases without regard to size, quality or price; arrives on closing time; has no other identification; asks for transactions to be split; or requests transactions to be manually entered.

Check that the card is not damaged or appears suspicious, that it has a valid expiry date, that it is not listed in the warning bulletin, and that the name matches the customer (i.e. a female card name is not being presented by a male).

Check that the signature on the card has not been altered and that the customer's signature matches it.

If you are suspicious:

Ask for photo identification to check that the details match the card; record the details on the voucher

Hold on to the card whilst completing the transaction.

Call for authorisation.

If you are using an electronic terminal:

Check and compare card details against the receipts

Do not let anybody service or remove a terminal without first sighting proper photo identification

Change your confidential EFTPOS terminal PIN regularly

If you take a manual imprint of the card, make sure the black carbon sheet is destroyed.

Telephone and internet transactions

These can be problematic for businesses as the card is not produced. Criminals often exploit this type of transaction and use credit card numbers from innocent victims without actually having possession of the card - the business ultimately loses out when the credit is later reversed. Contact your financial institution for more information on how to make these transactions secure.

Handling money

Limit the amount of cash held on the premises and publicise this fact. This has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of armed robbery.

Install a good quality in-floor security safe, in a room out of public view, to hold surplus cash. Fit safes with time delay locks.

Ask for exact change at night to prevent customers seeing cash holdings.

Pay wages by electronic funds transfer (EFT) or cheques rather than cash.

Never discuss business takings in public.

Money should be counted away from customers and stored safely if banking is not possible.

Do your banking at irregular times, but frequently when there is a high cash turnover. Vary the route and try to keep to populated areas.

Consider removing or covering badges and uniforms that identify you when going to bank cash. Conceal the fact that you are carrying cash.

Have someone accompany you to and from the bank.

When carrying money, hold it in the hand furthest from the road. This makes it difficult for a robbery/bag snatch to occur.

Let colleagues know when you expect to return so an alarm can be raised if necessary.

Use local bank services to reduce the amount of time spent carrying cash in transit.

Consider using a professional cash carrying service.