The Prevention of Fraud in Travel Group (PROFiT) is to road test a number of anti-fraud computer systems to fight cardholder-not-present fraud.
It is hoped the tests will then allow the PROFiT group, which was formed in February, to recommend the most effective system for agents, operators and suppliers.
PROFiT chairman Barry Gooch said: “We’re hoping that we will be able to make the case for people to have proper systems in place, and hope to give the information to people so they can take on (the recommended system).”
The plan was unveiled at a meeting of the group on August 4, when Experian authenticate senior account manager Rebecca Weafer demonstrated a system that searches through one billion pieces of information in a couple of seconds and exposes 77% of all credit card fraudsters.
While ABTA head of finance Mike Monk welcomed the move to drive down fraud, he remained sceptical that it would be widely adopted by the trade following the failure of ABTA members to take up a similar ABTA Check system when it was introduced seven years ago.
He added: “Why [the ABTA Check system] didn’t go forward last time, I don’t know; it is a really good product that pays for itself and it doesn’t do anything to get in the way of the sales process.
“Cardholder-not-present fraud is going through the roof. Travel is constantly in the top 10 targets, it is a really serious problem and one we should not underestimate.
“The trade needs to see that this is a system that potentially will pay for itself in a single fraudulent transaction.”