Offenders use stolen bank (EC), debit and credit cards - often several times - to get hold of merchandise which is easy to sell. They like to use the cards at cash registers where they can make debit transactions.

Stolen credit cards are sometimes faked, i.e. after thermal treatment they are embossed with new data that give no grounds for suspicion.

The perpetrator presents this card at cash registers where only a receipt is printed out and no questions are asked as long as payments remain within the agreed credit limit.

Some police tips:

• When accepting an EC card, watch out for your own interests. The card and the signature alone should suffice only with regular customers! Once purchases exceed a certain value, it is advisable to use a mixed procedure which allows you to go over to the safer, but more expensive, EC procedure requiring the input of the PIN.
• As far as possible, accept credit cards only at cash registers with a direct connection.
• When payment is being made with a card, if you have any doubts, ask for additional ID and note the details.
• If you are suspicious, consult the bank and/or the credit card company and, if there are any discrepancies, refuse to accept payment by card for your own protection.
• If you are obviously a victim of attempted fraud, call the police - number 110 - without delay.