The credit card companies and the Banks do not want bad publicity, and often never report thief to the Police.
When my daughter's cheque book was stolen from her post box in her block of flats, She did not know it was stolen. All her money was taken. When we went to the Police they told us they could do nothing as it was up to the Bank to inform them. We made an appointment with the Bank. To cut a long story short, the Bank had video of a man and woman using cheques on three occasions to clear out my daughter's bank account. They never asked for any identity proof and handed over the money. It took six weeks to sort this out and in the meantime the Bank refused to give my daughter a loan for a month as she had a bad credit record. This was because her account had been cleaned out.
We were told that the Bank were going to take action against the couple. However, they would not tell us what it was or any outcome as they said it was not our business. After 6 weeks the money was refunded to my daughter's account and the Bank gave her £100.00 compensation.
We were told by the Police that Banks do this all the time because they do not want the public to know about any fraud that takes place with customer accounts.
My daughter closed her account and changed banks.
Only last month I had an automated call from my Bank to ask if I made a purchase with my credit card to the amount of £180.00. I had not. When I rang the Bank I was given the card number. It was not my card number. However, they told me that the number was from the new card they had sent me??? I had never received the card. It had been stolen in the post. The Bank then cancelled both cards and said they would send me a new one. I asked about the purchase that had been attempted. It was made at 3.30am and was to an American website. The Bank had declined it and had contacted me.
They never would admit my card was stolen. However, they must have an address to which the good were to be sent. As far as I know, no action was taken. I got a new card.
I really think cards and cheque books should be collected or sent by special delivery signed for.