TCB steps up measures to prevent smart card fraud

FE REPORT
The state-run Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) has instructed its regional and camp offices to take strict measures to prevent fraud in the sale of essential items under its Smart Family Card programme.
In a recent directive, the agency asked offices to ensure that dealers sell goods exclusively through smart cards and collect necessary documents or evidence to monitor compliance.
"We have asked the offices concerned to take steps to prevent fraud in the Smart Card sales drive," said a TCB official.
The TCB warned that legal action would be taken against anyone attempting to sell products or activate cards fraudulently, including using images, photocopies, scanned copies, fake cards, or fake facial images.
Many dealers remain unaware of potential card fraud, despite previous instructions to sell goods only to beneficiaries using original Smart Family Cards, the agency noted.
Currently, TCB provides key items such as sugar, lentils, and edible oil to more than six million lower-income Smart Family Card holders at subsidised prices. The agency also conducts truck sales of essential items to non-card holders nationwide to support consumers.
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