In December 2011, APCA released payments fraud data for the 12 months ending 30 June 2011. The data show that overall, payments (cheque and debit, credit and charge cards) fraud in Australia increased from 9.9 cents to 12.2 cents in every $1,000 transacted over the past year. Within this total (comparing years ending June 2010 and June 2011):


A closer look at the card fraud data shows that counterfeit and skimming fraud in Australia is dropping. Fraud on proprietary debit cards has returned to the low levels seen before the well-publicised skimming episodes on Australian POS terminals in late 2009 and early 2010. Hard work by the industry and law enforcement in response to these episodes has contributed to skimming figures being the lowest since June 2006, when APCA’s data series commenced.

The latest data release also includes evidence that chip technology is continuing to strengthen the fight against card fraud. Counterfeit and skimming fraud perpetrated in Australia on Australian-issued scheme credit, debit and charge cards, after several recent falls, remained steady with a 1% increase by value. Chip technology is also making Australia less attractive for overseas fraudsters. Counterfeit and skimming fraud perpetrated in Australia on overseas-issued cards dropped by 34% in value and is also at the lowest level since June 2006.

However, the data show that CNP fraud is increasing. CNP now accounts for 71% of fraud value on Australian-issued scheme credit, debit and charge cards, of which more than half occurs overseas. This is related to the boom in Australians shopping online and in particular on overseas websites due to the high Australian dollar.

APCA’s fraud data collection is available on the APCA website.

 

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