HC Deb 10 February 1992 vol 203 cc343-4W
Mr. Burt

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the amount of police time that is spent on investigating credit card fraud; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

This information is not available centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Burt

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is his estimate of the amount of credit card fraud in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. John Patten

A Home Office report "The Prevention of Cheque and Credit Card Fraud" published in June last year, estimated that the losses to the major retail banks from all forms of "plastic card" fraud amounted to £121 million in 1990; of this sum, about £68 million was attributable to credit card fraud.

My right hon. Friend met senior financial sector representatives on 26 June and 15 October last year to discuss initiatives for tackling credit card and cheque fraud. He indicated that he wished to see as rapid progress as possible. It is intended that a further meeting should take place soon.