by Isha Anandrao Wahane A Forensic Science student.

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TOPIC:
FORENSIC EXAMINATION OF
CREDIT CARD AND DEBIT
CARD
By : Isha Anandrao Wahane
August 2021 Batch Intern

2. Table of contents :
 Introduction
 Detailed about credit card and debit card
 Security Features of credit/debit card
 Fraud Investigation
 Examination of credit/debit card in Forensic Laboratory
 Prevention

3. Introduction:
 Plastic currency was introduced in 1930 and now it is an essential form of money.
 Citi Bank was the first bank in 1991 to launch credit card in India.
 Plastic currency is the generic term for all types of cards such as, Bank cards, Credit
cards, Smart cards, etc.

4. Credit card:
Credit cards are usually plastic card issued to a cardholder, with a credit limit, that can
be used to purchase any services and goods on credit basis or obtain cash advances. The
credit cards are issued by the bank in association with companies like Visa, Master Card,
Dinners club etc. after proper verification of accountholder is completed.
Debit Cards:
Debit card is a magnetically encoded plastic card issued by banks which has replaced cash
and cheques. The customers don’t need to carry any cash with them to make purchases of
goods and services when using the debit cards. In many cases, debit card is multipurpose
which can also be used in ATM of different banks for withdrawing cash and to check
account balances and make online payment. It is issued free of cost with the savings or
current account by the bank.

5. Security Features of PlasticCurrency :

7. Credit/ Debit Card Fraud:
 The Fraud Examiners Manual defines Credit card fraud as “the misuse of credit cards
to make purchases without authorization or counterfeiting a credit card”. Credit Card
issuing banks lose around $ 1.5 to $ 2 billion every year because of these frauds.
 The different types of frauds are as follows:
There are many other credit card frauds that are committed online. Some of the very
popular ones are as follows:
1) Identity theft
2) Phishing
3) Shoulder Surfing
 Application Fraud  Altered credit cards
 Multiple Imprints  Duplicate card
 White plastic

8. Fraud Investigation
Once the fraud is detected or suspected, the next step is the investigation of the same.
Investigation in the case of credit card frauds is done at two levels:
1) External investigation
2) Internal investigation

9.  External investigation: This refers to the investigation of the fraud by an outside
investigating agency like police or the private investigator.
 The forgery and Anti-Counterfeiting Department
 Fingerprinting
 Handwriting Experts
 Modus operandi unit
 Criminal investigation Department (CID)
 Internal Investigation: Internal investigation refers to the investigation of the credit
card fraud carried by the Workforces of the credit card issuing bank.
 Specialist Fraud Investigation Team (Internal)
 Networking with competitors
 Internal intelligence Gathering and statistics
 Internal ‘Red – flagging and caution Signals
 Data on Direct Sales Agents (DSAS)

10. Examination of Plastic Currency in ForensicLaboratory
Physical Examination:
 Measure dimensions using scales and gauge to measure thickness.
 Signature panel and magnetic strip length.
 All card sizes have a thickness of 0.76 mm (0.030 in). Length and breadth has a
standard value i.e. 85.60 × 53.98 mm (3.370 × 2.125 in).
Instruments for Examination:
Stereomicroscope
We have to look all the security features and compare it with standard cards under
stereomicroscope for 3D view.
Comparison microscope
We can also compare the fine details of the card and compare at a time.

11. Video Spectral Comparator (VSC)
We can observe the fine details:
 Micro lettering
 Embossing
 Engraving
 Holograms
 Images
To observe this all we can use various light sources of various wavelengths.
 Infrared light.
 Transmitted light
 Ultraviolet light

12. Prevention:
 The use of computer chips instead of magnetic stripes in smart cards makes the
information secure.
 The use of biometric systems also reduces the chance of frauds to a greater extent.
Cards with PIN’s are available almost everywhere and hence reducing the chances of
frauds again.
 A proper training about the security features of a card can help the several merchants
to stop from being a victim of fraud.
 At a cardholder level it is a responsibility of the owner of the card. A cardholder
should never share personal information and if the card is stolen and lost then he
should lodge a complaint at the police station and also in the bank.
 Ultimately as long as the cards are in existence, these credit card frauds are bound to
happen.

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THANK YOU !!!!
By : Isha Anandrao Wahane
August 2021 Batch Intern