Police find PIN number scams rife in high streets (From Echo)

Police find PIN number scams rife in high streets

5:00pm Thursday 9th July 2009

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A MAJOR debit card scam at cash machines across south Essex has been uncovered by police.

Fraudsters have been stealing the cards at cash machines in Rayleigh, Rochford, Leigh and Benfleet.

One of the heaviest hit machines is outside Barclays bank at Tarpots, in Benfleet, where a false front was installed to swallow credit cards.

A mobile phone camera was concealed above the machine to capture PIN numbers being entered.

Police have recovered five devices which they believe have been used elsewhere over the past two weeks.

The crooks returned regularly to remove the cards and images from the camera before the next unsuspecting victim came along.

They even blocked up the four nearby cash machines by wedging cardboard into the slots to force people to use the one they had rigged.

Similar devices were also installed at Barclays branches in Rayleigh High Street and Rochford town centre to steal cards.

Branches of Abbey and Lloyds TSB were also targeted in Benfleet as well as a bank in Leigh Broadway.

Chief Inspector Andy Prophet, District Commander for Rochford, said: “We would ask everyone using ATMs, especially those located outside banks, to be especially vigilant when withdrawing cash.

“Be aware of anyone standing unusually close to you and check the ATM for anything remotely suspicious.

“As well as the hidden mobile phone cameras, crooks fit “skimmer” devices over the card slot to read the card number.

“If you are in any doubt about the security of the ATM report it to the bank, and if you should discover a device, call police immediately.”

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