IN a regional Australia first, businesses are being urged to ask for ID with paywave purchases to help tackle the rising rate of paywave-related crime.
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The “if in doubt, check it out” campaign is a collaborative effort by local police, the Tamworth Business Chamber and Tamworth Regional Council.
Senior Constable Jen Ridley said there was a worrying trend of paywave-related crime in Tamworth, with cards stolen from cars and houses being used to fraudulently obtain goods from local shops.
“Our fear is, as we head into the busy retail and holiday period, that this is going to get worse,” she said.
“The only way to really stop this type of crime is to work with the businesses who are most at risk, and let those involved in committing the crimes know that they may be asked to provide ID to support their paywave transaction.
“If they can’t provide it, then we have a number of measures in place to catch them then and there. Let this be a warning to anyone involved in or thinking about paywave fraud.”
Council’s crime prevention group chair, councillor Russell Webb, said businesses should consider taking it a step further and make all card transactions require a PIN.
“That little bit of extra time and effort would really help curb this emerging crime that’s come about from tech advances,” Cr Webb said.
Chamber spokeswoman Jill Stewart stressed the importance of the entire business community getting behind the campaign.
“We have such a connected local business community and one that we should protect,” she said.
“Don’t let your day-to-day business get in the way of protecting not only your business, but the entire Tamworth business community.”
Oxley police are also volunteering to check if businesses’ CCTV cameras are positioned correctly to capture anyone who does fraudulently purchase goods via paywave.
“Let us check that your camera is in the best position to capture crime. This is a very simple measure, but one that can make all the difference,” Senior Constable Ridley said.