Yesterday the District Attorney for the National District (DN), Francisco Domínguez Brito, added his voice to those warning of increasing credit and bank card fraud in the Dominican Republic. In recent weeks several newspapers have had feature articles on the growing problem, with general statements from regulators and commercial banks about how they are trying to combat fraud and providing advice to consumers on how to avoid it. Banks have estimated that card fraud in the Dominican republic already costs card issuers RD$200-300 million annually. Domínguez Brito yesterday warned that card fraud is indeed on the rise, and that his office is giving priority to addressing cases of this type. Card fraud is not unique to the DR; it is a global problem. He argued that while most (but not all) of the perpetrators identified so far are Dominicans, most "have international roots" and he wants closer cooperation with U.S. authorities in order to combat the fraud more effectively. He warned card users that there are gangs devoted to searching through trash cans – especially those near stores – looking for credit card receipts with the card user’s name and number on them. This information is then used in fraudulent purchases and bill payments. Meanwhile the National Police announced yesterday the arrest of three people accused of swindles involving bank cards used at automatic teller machines (ATMs). The three had concocted a scheme whereby they would use a piece of adhesive tape to inhibit the proper functioning of an ATM, so that it would retain the next user’s card. They would then approach the distressed user, offering to help. During the process of "helping," they would learn the user’s secret code. The user leaves when his card still is not returned; the "helper" removes the card and tape, and uses the card and its code to withdraw large sums. The culprits were caught after an investigation by police’s Fraud Unit.
