Category Archives: CheckMEND

CheckMEND, ClaimsCheck, Crime, Immobilise, Immobilize, NMPR, Police, Recipero

SaferGems’ members to benefit from partnership with Recipero’s Crime Reduction Ecosystem

safergems-montage-w250Recipero is pleased to announce its partnership with SaferGems, a service provided by the British Security Industry Association (BSIA).

Focusing initially on jewellery and watch traders, the partnership is set to dramatically improve the benefits of the SaferGems Watch Register service which helps members report and be alerted to lost and stolen items.

The Watch Register is operated by SaferGems, a joint initiative established by the BSIA in partnership with a number of prominent organisations including TH March Insurance Brokers, the National Association of Goldsmiths (NAG) and the British Jewellers’ Association (BJA).

In 2014 alone, over £9m worth of watches was stolen from individuals and jewellery stores, often inadvertently being sold on through the UK’s wide network of pawnbrokers and second-hand jewellery traders. Intelligence gathered by SaferGems shows that watches are among the items of personal property most targeted by thieves, with jewellery shops also frequently targeted by ‘smash and grab’ opportunists and organised gangs.

SaferGems are now entering into partnership with Recipero to improve the operational capabilities of the Watch Register. SaferGems’ Intelligence Officer, Simon Gardner, comments:

Whilst reviewing the operational needs and costs of providing a fast and easily accessible checking service for Watch Register, it became clear that Recipero’s CheckMEND service already provided a very comprehensive service that is well proven in thousands of retail premises nationwide and with a little cooperation could incorporate the Watch Register data that we already hold.

Les Gray, Recipero’s COO said:

We’re delighted to be able to incorporate Watch Register into Recipero’s Crime Reduction Ecosystem. This represents real value to Safer Gems and their members and of course enhances existing cooperation with UK Police.

Steve Jupp Deputy Chief Constable with the Suffolk Police Force adds:

This collaboration is another positive step forward in assisting the Police service to work more effectively with the business industry, to identify and recover stolen property. The register is an easy to use and efficient way for officers to access information; I know it will assist in the conviction of many offenders to come.

SaferGems members will further benefit through discounted use of Recipero’s CheckMEND service. CheckMEND, which forms part of many Police “Safe Seller Scheme” initiatives, enables traders of second-hand items to perform history checks to help mitigate the inherent risks of handling second-hand property.

Simon Gardner concludes:

In the long-term, the Watch Register will help to reduce crimes against the jewellery industry by making it more difficult for thieves to resell stolen watches without getting caught.

Further information

Recipero is the leading data aggregator and innovator in personal possession fraud and theft prevention worldwide.  The “Recipero Crime Reduction Ecosystem” works to protect consumers and businesses through provision of intelligence services. Forming part of millions of decision-making processes and transactions every month, Recipero’s data and intelligence solutions are provided online, in real-time, and are used globally by law enforcement, insurers, recyclers, retailers and consumers. Learn more at: www.recipero.com

The British Security Industry Association is the trade association covering all aspects of the professional security industry in the UK. Its members provide over 70% of UK security products and services and adhere to strict quality standards. For more information see www.bsia.co.uk, email info@bsia.co.uk or telephone 0845 389 3889/020 7484 8728.

The SaferGems team, which has links to all the UK police forces; Co-ordinates data from the trade on incidents and suspicious events; Sends alerts to members of the NAG, the BJA and those insured via T H March; Co-ordinates data across police forces to improve identification and conviction of criminals. Learn more at:  www.safergems.org.uk

CheckMEND, ClaimsCheck, Immobilise, Mobile Phones, NMPR, Police, Recipero

Recipero Crime Reduction Ecosystem expands to the Netherlands

ReciperoXS-logo-colour-highres-600pxWe are pleased to announce that the full Recipero Crime Reduction Ecosystem is now available in the Netherlands. This will allow the public and organisations that buy and sell mobile phones to trade with confidence.

The Recipero Crime Reduction Ecosystem is set for a rapid rollout as part of a joint venture between Recipero and PortingXS. The joint venture named ReciperoXS is already starting to help Dutch customers avoid the costs of handling compromised devices, protecting consumers and business alike from the costs of crime.

The Dutch focus will initially be on:

In the UK and the US, these services have proven to be highly effective in identifying and reducing mobile device crime.

PortingXS headquartered in the Netherlands, is a well respected provider of IT and Telecoms solutions throughout the world. Like Recipero, PortingXS has been established for 15 years and so brings a wealth of experience and connections that will help benefit both existing and new users.

Mark Harman, CEO of Recipero said;

The expansion of our Ecosystem to the Netherlands is a great step for Recipero. The speed of rollout has been testament to the great synergies between Recipero and PortingXS. This has enabled our teams to translate and adapt our solutions to benefit Dutch consumers, businesses and law-enforcement.

Ronald Vlasman, CEO of PortingXS said;

The platform, consisting of valuable information about mobile phones and other electronic devices, will be the link between consumers, retailers, police, insurers, banks and recyclers.

Links to Dutch websites:

ReciperoXS company website (NL)

PortingXS (NL)

Telefooncheck website (NL)

ClaimsCheck website (NL)

Immobilise Property Register website (NL)

Police NMPR website (NL)

AssetWatch, CheckMEND, Recipero

Recipero Announces Partnership with Carolina West Wireless to Guard Against Theft and Trade of Stolen Devices

Carolina-West-Wireless-logo-362pxRecipero, a partnering member of Competitive Carriers Association (CCA), has announced that it is collaborating with Carolina West Wireless, the premier wireless carrier serving western North Carolina, to help prevent the trade and sale of stolen smartphones, including Carolina West Wireless devices.

Carolina West Wireless, a CCA carrier member, has signed on to deploy Recipero’s CheckMEND, StockWatch and FraudWatch solutions, part of Recipero’s powerful Crime Reduction Ecosystem that helps detect mobile devices that have been lost or stolen.

The use of Recipero’s CheckMEND solution will help safeguard both customers and employees from criminal activity, StockWatch monitors retail and logistics environments providing early indication inventory theft, while FraudWatch targets the growing problem of contract fraud /credit muling – helping to reduce the personal and commercial impact of crime.

In addition, consumers and law enforcement officials alike will have access to Carolina West Wireless data on lost or stolen devices through Recipero’s CheckMEND and Police NMPR solutions.

CheckMEND is the most complete international listing of lost and stolen mobile devices available, comprised of data from major wireless carriers and law-enforcement entities globally.  Using the CheckMEND tool, Carolina West Wireless can more effectively identify smartphones that have been lost or stolen and prevent them from being accepted into its buyback program.

I am pleased that Carolina West Wireless and Recipero have formed a strategic partnership to protect Carolina West’s subscribers and their property,

said Steven K. Berry, CCA President & CEO.

Protecting subscribers’ investments in their devices is a priority for CCA’s members, and I am delighted that Recipero is providing our carriers a solution to reduce mobile device theft and resale.  As the Federal Communications Commission and state regulators continue to think about the problem of mobile device theft, I hope they will look at the example that Carolina West and Recipero are setting for the industry through this solution that allows the carrier to build loyalty and protect its customers. 

Greg Post, Recipero’s President, North America said:

Our partnership with Carolina West Wireless and CCA, is a significant step in addressing the issue of cell phone fraud and theft. Carolina West Wireless will see the benefits or our crime reduction ecosystem, which we expect to rollout to other CCA members soon.

Slayton Stewart, CEO of Carolina West Wireless said:

We recognize the growing negative impact of device theft and fraud in our industry

We are committed to taking the necessary steps to protect our customers’ against the potentially harmful financial impact of this type of activity.  By deploying the solutions from our new partnership with Recipero, we will minimize this risk while protecting our customers’ financial interests.

About Carolina West Wireless

Carolina West Wireless was formed in 1991 and is owned by a partnership consisting of Skyline Telephone, Surry Telephone and Wilkes Telecommunications. Headquartered in Wilkesboro, North Carolina, Carolina West Wireless provides its customers in ten (10) western NC counties with innovative technology including data and mobile services, the latest wireless equipment and competitive wireless plans that provide national coverage. For more information, visit http://www.carolinawest.com. 

About CCA

CCA is the nation’s leading association for competitive wireless providers and stakeholders across the United States. The licensed service area of CCA’s more than 100 carrier members covers 95 percent of the nation. Visit www.competitivecarriers.org. 

CheckMEND, NMPR, Police

BBC One shows CheckMEND helping Cash Converters avoid stolen property

Cashing InBBC One programme “Cashing In”  featured the Recipero CheckMEND solution again last night (05 Aug 2015).

Once again the documentary showed CheckMEND helping Cash Converters avoid stolen property and insurance fraud, providing a great example of how CheckMEND works to identify and target property crime.

Watch it from 47 minutes on BBC iPlayer (available until 03 Sep 2015): www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b05p3fbv/cashing-in-episode-3

To learn more about how CheckMEND works with sister services Immobilise and the Police NMPR as part of the Recipero Crime Reduction Ecosystem go to: recipero.com/crime-reduction-ecosystem

 

CheckMEND, Crime, NMPR, Police

CheckMEND featured on BBC One programme – Cashing In

Cashing InThe Recipero CheckMEND solution was featured yesterday (22/07/2015) in BBC One programme “Cashing In” helping Cash Converters trade safely.

It is a great example of CheckMEND in use helping traders and police tackle phone crime. Watch it from 35 minutes on BBC iPlayer (available until 21/08/2015)

Link: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b05n92sg/cashing-in-episode-1

 

CheckMEND, CheckMEND USA, Crime, Mobile Phones, Police, Recipero

Recipero Partners with CCA to Help Carriers Identify and Prevent Trade of Stolen Devices

Denver, CO. – January 28, 2015 – Today, Recipero announced a strategic partnership with Competitive Carriers Association to help prevent the trade and sale of stolen consumer electronics, including smartphones.

CCA-logo-225pxRecipero CheckMEND is the most complete international listing of lost and stolen mobile devices available, comprised of data from major wireless carriers and law-enforcement entities globally. Using the CheckMEND tool, CCA members will have the ability to identify lost or stolen devices and prevent these devices from entering the carrier’s buyback programs.

In addition, CCA can help eliminate trafficking in stolen mobile devices in the U.S. and abroad by submitting the respective identification numbers of all devices that have been reported as lost or stolen into Recipero’s CheckMEND database. The CheckMEND database can also be used by consumers and law-enforcement agencies to verify that a pre-owned CCA member smartphone has not been reported lost or stolen

Consumer safety is a priority for our members, and I am delighted that CCA and Recipero have formed a strategic partnership to help preserve the safety of our members’ customers

said CCA President & CEO Steven K. Berry.

Giving carriers the tools they need to identify stolen or lost devices will certainly help protect their customers and build loyalty, while at the same time proactively reduce mobile-device theft and the sale of stolen smartphones in the U.S. and abroad. The CCA/Recipero effort is a practical, common-sense business solution to solve a real problem for consumers.

Mark Harman, CEO of Recipero said:

CCA’s collaboration with Recipero marks a significant step in helping the industry address cellphone crime. The availability of CCA members lost and stolen device data alongside our existing datasets reinforces Recipero’s reputation for delivering solutions that aim to help socially whilst providing clear commercial benefits.

Continue reading Recipero Partners with CCA to Help Carriers Identify and Prevent Trade of Stolen Devices →

CheckMEND, eBay, Mobile Phones, Recipero

Buyer beware – Use CheckMEND and buy with confidence

This story in the Telegraph is typical of the type of issue we see consumers and traders encounter each day.

Our advice when considering the purchase of a secondhand mobile device regardless of whether it is via online auction sites like eBay or a bricks an mortar shop, is to check its history with www.CheckMEND.com which provides the most comprehensive check available.

CheckMEND is part of the Recipero Crime Reduction Ecosystem that has been developed over the past 15 years in partnership with Police, Retailers, Networks, Insurers, and the Public delivering tangible crime reduction benefits throughout the industry.

Continue reading Buyer beware – Use CheckMEND and buy with confidence →

CheckMEND, CheckMEND USA, Crime, Police

FCC issue clear, focused, actionable guidance to tackle phone crime

At the FCC’s Technical Advisory Committee meeting on December 4th (FCC video – view from 39 minutes) Chairman Wheeler shared what he will be asking industry to do to reduce levels of mobile device theft.

Ensure that the lock/erase/restore functionalities built into many phones today is enabled by default.

This is important progress for consumers, many of whom choose not to enable such mechanisms. In future it is hoped they will have to actively choose to disable them. Consumer choice will not be restricted – but they will be protected by default. In the area of theft from consumers, such functionality is having an effect already. Changing the default configuration will ensure more consumers are protected.

Secure the unique device identifiers by ensuring they cannot be changed.

This is absolutely crucial to both the good operation of cellular networks and in the fight against crime. The practice of reprogramming is already outlawed in several countries but enforcement is virtually impossible. Making identifiers immutable at a hardware level will make circumvention uneconomical for criminals. At the same time it will ensure that existing tools such as cross-operator blocking continue to effectively contribute to the fight against device crime.

Improve use of data to stop the resale of stolen devices.

This request has three components and is the most significant recommendation. Data sharing is already used to reduce wider crimes involving corporate theft and contract fraud that blocking or ‘kill switch’ functions do not address but  there are gaps that need to be addressed.

Some existing databases are slow and cumbersome

Industry needs to use the “best of breed” databases to share information.

Current systems have limitations at odds with the fast-paced world of wireless. It is clear that there is no technological barrier to having real-time data sharing between networks, law enforcement and traders. In Malaysia the Communications and Multimedia Commission has successfully implemented and will soon launch real-time blocking and information sharing between networks and other parties. The attentions of the FCC in this area should raise awareness with industry.

Industry must support law enforcement agencies in its actions

The Chairman sets the challenge “There must be an app for that!”  Well, there is, of course, and it can be accessed by law enforcement officers from any smartphone, tablet or web browser at www.nmpr.com. This web application brings together databases old and new in one place that officers can use very simply. The global NMPR is used by over 80,000 police officers and staff in the UK and 75 agencies in the US are currently trialing its use. We anticipate that the FCC’s attention in this area will encourage all law enforcement agencies to explore this powerful tool.

Industry must take steps to verify that a device is not stolen when it is offered to them in trade

Some industry leaders including Sprint, Gamestop and Gazelle adopted such practices up to two years ago. They recognized that simply checking whether a phone is blocked by another network is not enough. Less than 50% ¹ of phones that are not in the hands of the rightful owner are reported to networks. Those subject to insurance claims, corporate theft, supply chain leakage, contract and rental fraud account for a massive amount of thefts that do not result in network blocking or kill switch activation. These can only be addressed by both data sharing from industry and appropriate due-diligence at the point of trade.

The Chairman’s requests to industry are clear, focused and actionable. The solutions to each challenge are available and cost effective. The wireless industry and law enforcement would do well to look closely at those solutions.

 

¹ As at 8th Dec 2014 US blocked phones accounts for 48.9% of the total US stolen phones that Recipero holds records of.

Links:

CheckMEND, Immobilise, Mobile Phones, NMPR, Police

Carmarthenshire Police and retailers use Immobilise to combat property theft

Carmarthenshire Police Neighbourhood Development Team and Carmarthenshire Community Safety Partnership are working together with retailers to get electrical items purchased in stores uploaded onto www.immobilise.com at the point of purchase.

Starting on Wednesday December 3rd, retailers will give customers the opportunity to register their new electrical and valuable items recorded and uploaded onto the national property registration site for FREE.

Registration forms for www.immobilise.com accounts will be completed within the store with customers before being put online by Dyfed Powys Police officers. Once registered with an account the owners will then have the opportunity to add further property onto that account.

The online Immobilise property registration system used by all UK police forces via the NMPR, and second hand traders via CheckMEND to check whether property that is recovered or offered for sale they come in contact with is stolen. If so it allows them to return it to the owners and also assists in bringing offenders to justice who are in possession of the property.

The scheme is being rolled out to tackle the issue of victims not being able to provide full details of their property when it is lost or stolen. In addition it is hoped it will assist the police in bring those responsible for stealing property and handling the property to justice.

PS78 Moore said:

Over the past few years we have adopted a very successful partnership with Carmarthenshire Community Safety and attended community events encouraging members of the public to take measures registering and securing their property. This has been reasonably successful, but by registering the property at the point of purchase it is hoped that even more people will benefit being signed up to www.immobilise.com.

We have currently rolled this initiative out for Cycles with Halfords in Llanelli and Carmarthen and are confident our decision to expand the initiative to the other retailers will benefit all in our commitment to prevent crime.

Links:

http://www.dyfed-powys.police.uk

http://www.immobilise.com

http://www.checkmend.com

CheckMEND, Crime, Immobilise, NMPR, Police, Report My Loss

Sussex Police urge residents to register on Immobilise to help identify recovered property

Sussex Police Operation MagpieSussex Police are urging the public to join the battle against burglars by logging their valuables on the Immobilise National Property Register which allows police and the public to work together to make stolen items too hot to handle.

Residents can enter the details of their possessions on the free website and report when they have been stolen.

Police officers not just in Sussex but around the UK can then check the details of items that they find or seize against the database. By confirming that the seized items had been stolen, officers can then look to prosecute whoever they were seized from for burglary or handling stolen goods – and can return the valuables to their rightful owners.

Sussex Police is encouraging residents to use Immobilise as part of Operation Magpie, the force’s crackdown on burglary across the county.

In support of Operation Magpie and Immobilise Registration Sussex Police have also produced an informative video that can be watched on youtube: Sussex Police Youtube video promoting Immobilise

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Betts said:

When our officers respond to reports of burglary, they often cannot get enough detailed information about the items which have been stolen – without old boxes for electrical items or photographs of jewellery for example it can be very difficult to accurately identify what has been taken.

Better information greatly increases the chances of us being able to reunite stolen property with its rightful owner, helps us to get a better picture of which burglaries could be linked and gives us the evidence we need to prove that property is stolen.

That helps us to link items to burglars and those trading in stolen goods and means we can get offenders off the streets and into the courts.

Katy Bourne, Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner, is backing the campaign urging residents to register their property. She said:

I’d like to see as many residents as possible playing their part in helping to beat burglary in Sussex.

It’s simple – and it’s free – to register your personal items on the website and I hope people will do so. As well as making it easier for the police to track down registered owners, it can also act as a deterrent as it makes it harder for thieves to sell items on because they can be identified.

As well as registering mobile phones and electrical items with serial numbers, residents can also register other items by uploading photographs and giving a description.

They can also use the website to instantly access a list of all their property and to print off certificates of ownership if they need to make a claim to their insurance company.

You can register your property in just a few minutes by visiting www.immobilise.com.