Since 1999, Group Security Solutions has built a reputation as one of Australia’s most trusted providers of integrated security and fire systems.
What started as a small technology provider has grown into a national leader delivering high-end, customized solutions for government agencies, multinational corporations, and enterprise clients. From CCTV and facial recognition to access control, fire compliance, and risk management, Group Security is known for designing layered systems that protect people, property, and operations—without compromise.
That reputation for tailoring solutions to complex challenges is what led one of the country’s largest vehicle rental franchises to call them after losing millions to a nationwide vehicle theft spree.
The Challenge: A Theft Spree That Cost Millions
In 2018, a single fraudster used a fake ID to rent and steal over 30 vehicles from multiple rental locations across Australia. In under a week, they had hit branch after branch, slipping past standard ID checks and taking advantage of the company’s disconnected security systems.
“This wasn’t just one stolen car,” says Andrew Windeyer, Business Development Manager at Group Security Solutions. “It was the same person going coast to coast, targeting multiple franchise locations, and no one could catch it in time.”
With over 220 locations across the country, the brand had no unified way to track or flag suspicious customers across sites. Fraudulent rentals, unpaid tickets, and even repeat offenders often flew under the radar, leaving frontline staff without the tools they needed to stop bad actors before it was too late.
The Idea: Connect the Network with Smart ID Verification
Group Security Solutions stepped in with a layered approach. While the rental company already had a variety of systems in place—alarms, cameras, and basic access control—they needed a way to catch identity fraud and share risk signals across locations.
To do that, they partnered with Patronscan, a trusted ID verification provider known for catching even the most sophisticated fake IDs.
“Most ID scanners won’t catch a high-quality fake,” explains Jason Swanson, Vice President at Patronscan. “Our system runs multiple checks—analyzing fonts, layouts, infrared and white light responses, and comparing scans to a huge database of known fakes. It’s designed to spot what others miss.”
But what really made a difference was Patronscan’s shared flagging network, which connected all rental sites using the system. If a customer was flagged at one location—for fraud, unpaid tickets, or suspicious activity—that alert would be instantly visible to all other connected branches.
“Now, when someone walks into a new branch, the staff already know if there’s a history,” Jason adds. “It closes the loop and gives power back to the people at the front counter.”
Why it Works: Integrated Systems that Create Accountability
The Patronscan solution was seamlessly integrated into Group Security’s broader offering, which included CCTV, alarm monitoring, access control, and more. With ID scanning as a foundational layer, the rental chain could now:
- Detect fake IDs using advanced image analysis and lighting techniques
- Identify customers with unpaid fines, suspicious history, or previous damage
- Prevent repeat offenses with real-time alerts across all connected locations
- Empower frontline staff to make faster, more informed decisions
“ID scanning is just one piece of the puzzle,” Andrew says. “But when you combine it with the rest of our ecosystem including cameras, facial recognition and, alarms, you’re no longer reacting to a problem. You’re preventing it.”
The Results: From 30 Cars Stolen to Zero
Since deploying the system at approximately 50 corporate locations, the company has seen a 100% reduction in organized vehicle theft.
“You don’t get to say that often,” says Jason. “But that’s the truth. There hasn’t been a single stolen vehicle related to organized crime from these sites since implementation.”
The solution also streamlined internal processes, making it easier to deal with unpaid tickets and fraudulent behavior before a vehicle ever leaves the lot.
The success has caught the attention of franchise operators too, many of whom are now asking to roll out the same system in their own branches.
The Power of Partnership
For Group Security Solutions and Patronscan, this project is a testament to the strength of strategic partnership.
“Patronscan gives us an edge in a competitive space,” says Andrew. And the collaboration hasn’t just enhanced client outcomes—it’s also driven meaningful business growth. In the first year alone, the Patronscan partnership generated over $300K in annual recurring revenue for Group Security, not including additional non-recurring hardware sales.
“Group knows the market inside and out,” adds Jason. “They build the trust, manage the relationships, and we provide the technology that backs them up. It’s a true partnership, and that’s why it works.”
The results speak for themselves. Group Security has since added several new clients, including three enterprise accounts, many of whom now use a full suite of security offerings that includes Patronscan. Others have adopted Patronscan as a standalone solution, drawn in by its ability to deliver measurable impact from day one.
Together, the two companies have built a solution that doesn’t just respond to risk—it prevents it, scales with clients, and secures long-term growth on both sides.
Looking to Partner with Patronscan?
We work with top integrators like Group Security Solutions to deliver fraud prevention solutions that make an immediate impact. Whether you serve retail, rental, or hospitality spaces, let’s talk about how we can protect what matters most.
