Beware Of Bank Card Skimming

18th September 2012

Member of the public reports card skimming device at Co-op at Keppoch Road, Culloden.

Police received reports of a skimming machine attached to an ATM at the Co-op store in Keppoch Road, Culloden yesterday (18 September 2012).

A vigilant member of the public noticed an irregularity with the machine and contacted the store manager. The manager then removed the device from the ATM and contacted Police.

Police then carried out a scene of crime examination and removed a secondary part of the device from the roof of the machine. These skimming devices usually consist of a false plate on the card reader and a secondary device, usually a hidden camera, on the roof of the device. One device copies the card details and is fitted to the card slot and the other takes pictures of the victim entering their PIN number.

Police are advising members of the public to remain vigilant and check all ATM machines before using them. Signs to look for may include a tiny pin sized hole in the roof of the machine, irregularities in the card slot or false facings on the roof or card slot. Always hide you PIN when entering it and check in case anyone is standing behind you.

If anyone used that machine over the past few days they are urged to contact their banks in case of any irregular or unauthorised transactions.

An informational video about card skimming is available on the Force website and Facebook page at Skimming Video

The film provide people with an easy to remember acronym (C.H.I.P.) which Police hope the public will bear in mind when using ATMs.

C is for check the machine. H advises you to hide your pin. I means inform the Police and the bank and P means put your money/cash away. By following this advice you can greatly reduce the chances of becoming a victim of this crime.

Teams of organised criminals have in the past targeted ATM users by stealing their bank card details and PIN numbers with sophisticated card-skimming devices and cameras.

The film shows the public what to look out for and goes into details about how these machines work.

 

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