The JIB is aware of individuals on multiple social media accounts offering fraudulent CSCS scheme cards (including ECS cards) as well as other certificates and official documents such as driving licences. These have been seen on sites such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter. The JIB takes instances of fraud incredibly seriously and, although these types of occurrences are rare, the JIB has systems in place for identifying if an ECS card is valid.
All ECS cards should be validated in the freely available checking systems via the ECS card website, ECS Check app or CSCS Smart Check app (both these apps are free to download on the App Store or Google Play Store). Any fraudulent card will not show in any of the verification and checking systems. The JIB will always encourage people to use the digital records and verification systems for this reason as all checks are done in real-time providing the latest up to date information on valid cards.
ECS was the first scheme to have virtual cards and real-time checking functions linked to this and these systems have been available for many years. CSCS Smart Check is the App launched earlier this year that enables users to freely verify any of the 38 CSCS partner scheme cards across more than 2 million card holders. All clients, contractors, and those with responsibility for checking CSCS partnered cards are advised to use the CSCS Smart Check App. If fraudulent activity is suspected, there is both guidance from the CSCS Alliance in the App and on the CSCS website about the steps you should take.
Information on fraudulent activity is passed to the relevant Fraud Teams, both internally and within those schemes affected within the CSCS Alliance. Schemes will then work together with the police and other authorities as required which may and has led to prosecutions and prison sentences.
The JIB wants to reassure the industry that all appropriate steps are being taken to combat fraudulent activity. If you have any information which you would like to report, please send this to feedback@ecscard.org.uk.
Most of these types of fraud are “Advanced Fee” or “Payment in Advance” scams. Advance fee fraud is when fraudsters target victims to make advance or upfront payments for goods, services and/or financial gains that do not materialise.
In our experience there are few fake cards in circulation, and they are usually identified quickly using our online electronic systems. Our advice is always to visit the JIB or ECS card websites for everything to do with ECS cards, applications and checking.
To validate an ECS card please go to www.ecscard.org.uk/check
For more information about the ECS card scheme from the JIB please see www.ecscard.org.uk