Phillip Couvaras offers the following insights as we work together to help fight this scourge:

Restaurant operators are encouraged to follow tight recruitment procedures and ensure that they check out all staff as far as possible, and where necessary include criminal checks. Ensure they do regular searches of staff and their bags.

Keep an eye on your credit card every time you use it, and make sure you get it back as quickly as possible. Try not to let your credit card out of your sight at all. Watch out for staff who drop a credit card on the floor.

Be very careful to whom you give your credit card. Don't give out your account number over the phone unless you initiate the call and you know the company is reputable. Never give your credit card information out when you receive a phone call (for example, if you're told there has been a 'computer problem' and the caller needs you to verify information).  Legitimate companies don't call you to ask for a credit card number over the phone.

Never respond to emails that request you provide your credit card info via email -- and don't ever respond to emails that ask you to go to a website to verify personal (and credit card) information. These are called 'phishing' scams.

Never provide your credit card information on a website that is not a secure site.

Sign your credit cards as soon as you receive them.

Shred all credit card applications you receive.

Don't write your PIN number on your credit card -- or have it anywhere near your credit card (in the event that your wallet gets stolen).

Never leave your credit cards or receipts lying around.

Shield your credit card number so that others around you can't copy it or capture it on a cell phone or other camera.

Keep a list in a secure place with all of your account numbers and expiration dates, as well as the phone number and address of each bank that has issued you a credit card. Keep this list updated each time you get a new credit card.

Only carry around credit cards that you absolutely need. Don't carry around extra credit cards that you rarely use.

Open credit card bills promptly and make sure there are no bogus charges. Treat your credit card bill like your checking account -- reconcile it monthly. Save your receipts so you can compare them with your monthly bills.

If you find any charges that you don't have a receipt for -- or that you don't recognize -- report these charges promptly (and in writing) to the credit card issuer.

Always void and destroy incorrect receipts.

Shred anything with your credit card number written on it.

Never sign a blank credit card receipt. Carefully draw a line through blank portions of the receipt where additional charges could be fraudulently added.

Carbon paper is rarely used these days, but if there is a carbon that is used in a credit card transaction, destroy it immediately.

Never write your credit card account number in a public place (such as on a postcard or so that it shows through the envelope payment window).

Never lend a credit card to anyone else.

If you move, notify your credit card issuers in advance of your change of address.

If you suspect credit card fraud:

If your credit cards are lost or stolen, contact the issuer(s) immediately.

Most credit card companies have toll-free numbers and 24-hour service to deal with these emergencies -- they are eager to avoid credit card fraud.

The figures for dismissals related to credit card fraud are unclear.  Arrests include the 4 staff at Cape Town International Airport and one staff member at a Sea Point restaurant. Police are still investigating this case and it is understood that more arrests will follow as belief is that this is a syndicate and the persons arrested so far were only runners for the bigger fish.  The arrests at the airport revealed a new device which can hold the information of up to 500 credit cards. As technology advances it will be obvious that the sophistication of these devices and associated equipment will also improve.  In November 2008 a massive arrest was made on an international syndicate operating in Honeydew, Johannesburg. Two kingpins were arrested. Further arrests were made to their "runners" who were responsible for the physical scamming and theft of credit cards. The value of their operation ran into the millions. Towards the end of 2007, another massive Nigerian syndicate was stopped, along with over a dozen arrests. The SA Banking Risk Information centre (SABRIC) reported in June of 2008 that credit card fraud in general had skyrocketed over the last three years and over the 2006/2007 period had escalated 47%. Kwa Zulu Natal reported that up to October 2008, this figure stood at 83%.  In October of 2007, nine waiters were arrested at a restaurant in Canal Walk and card skimmers were confiscated. In October last year, 7 men were arrested in Durban. 4 people were arrested in January this year in Johannesburg.

With 2010 in mind, a lot more participation must take place in workshops and awareness campaigns. The move to credit cards with chips is happening and almost all establishments have machines that can accept these types of cards. Susan Potgieter, Head of SABRIC, recently stated at a public workshop that she would be working with government on the regulation of importation and distribution of skimming devices. It is in fact now illegal to be simply found with in person. On this point, if restaurant managers find staff with a device on their person, they have a case.  In order to combat credit card fraud as much as possible before World Cup visitors start arriving, the respective stakeholders are being vigilant in their campaign to stamp out this crime, and can only do so with the complete co-operation of the various industries that are being targeted through awareness training, proper recruitment policies and staff checks. FEDHASA will continue to work closely with government and the SAPS. Up to date information will regularly be passed on and will also be available on the FEDHASA website http://www.fedhasa.co.za/ . Credit card tips like the one above should be posted at work places and staff must made aware that a massive focus is being made on deterring this activity.  It is clear that the Western Cape has the most prominent cases of this crime, largely due to its being a prime tourist destination.

In the past, cards would be skimmed on credit card machines that were not in sight of the customer. Now with the introduction of portable machines, clients and shop owners need to be aware of new methods of skimming. One particular method is as when the portable credit card machine is taken to the client, and the client is now satisfied that their card will remain in their sight. However the culprit has placed the small device under their shoe and conveniently drops the card on the floor when performing the transaction. When they pick it up the card is skimmed. Another method is for them to carefully place the device under a table or chair.