Security advice for cardholders

Fraud advice for cardholders and administrators

Some people use your company cards to the limit... unfortunately they don't work for your business.

Criminals see card fraud as an easy way to make a dishonest living. But when you're trying to run a business, the last thing you need is an unauthorised person running up huge bills on your company cards. Often before you've even noticed anything unusual.

Card fraud is a very real concern in today's fast-moving commercial environment - whether it's due to lost, stolen, intercepted or counterfeit cards, it can cause serious disruption to your business.

However, it's not a problem which is impossible to solve. And at Barclaycard Business we are committed to working closely with you to reduce the risk of fraud as much as possible.

You can help us in a number of ways

As the person responsible for administering your company's cards, you are best placed to help us minimise the likelihood of card fraud occurring. And, at the same time, to instil in your cardholders an awareness of the potential risks.
Whether your business is large or small, here are a few simple checks and procedures to help you protect your cardholders, and your company.

For card administrators

• Keep an eye on statements - if expenditure levels or location seem unusual, just check with the cardholder.
• Quickly notify Barclaycard Business of any transactions you don't recognise.
• Review the number of cards held, cancelling any that you don't need.
• Immediately report any missing cards (Telephone 01604 230230).
• Only issue PINs to those with a genuine need to withdraw cash.
   

For the cardholders

• Ensure they check their monthly statements as soon as they receive them.
• Make sure they always have their Barclaycard Business card with them and request that wherever possible transactions are processed in front of them, rather than out of sight.
• Ask them to memorise PINs whenever they can, rather than writing them down (dependent upon the type of card they may be able to change their PIN to a more memorable number).
   

We're taking the initiative too

Of course, we're not leaving everything to you. We're taking an active role in limiting the effects of card fraud - with a number of important initiatives.

• A dedicated anti-fraud team.
• Use of neural network software to detect unusual spend characteristics
• Secure ATM environments
• Safe procedures and secure sites for on-line purchases
• An on-line purchase guarantee against unauthorised electronic commerce transactions
• Secure delivery of cards to the majority of destinations
• Cardholder/supplier education programmes
• A Fraud Intelligence Bureau working alongside the Police.
   

As part of this drive to stamp out card fraud, we occasionally need to confirm a transaction at the point of sale, or conduct a secondary verification check. Please be assured that these measures are only carried out as part of fraud prevention activity.

Complete peace of mind - for you and your cardholders

Card fraud doesn't only affect the smooth running of your company finances - it can seriously inconvenience your cardholders too. For instance, if their card has been used to the limit by fraudsters, they could find themselves in the embarrassing situation of having a transaction declined.

Our aim is simple. To ensure that your company's card usage is problem free. So that, wherever they travel in the world, your executives can carry their Barclaycard Business with confidence.

Remember, if you require any advice or assistance just contact us.

If you need to report any lost or stolen cards contact us immediately.