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26/08/2003
Warning issued after credit cards cloned at bank
Police are warning the public to be vigilant after reports of credit and debit card fraud were linked to a criminal operation in HSBC bank, Newbury.
Police investigations into a report of debit card fraud have discovered that a skimming device had been installed underneath the card swipe which allows access to the lobby of the bank out of hours. The skimmer is able to record the details held in the card’s magnetic strip, allowing them to be transferred to another card - a practice known as cloning.
CCTV footage taken from the bank on Tuesday 12 August shows three men entering the lobby shortly after 6pm. One man then installs a CCTV camera, which police believe was used to watch people entering their PIN details on the cash machine. They also put 'Out of Order' signs on other cash machines to encourage more people to use the machine in front of the camera.
PC Chris Baumgart, of the cheque and card fraud unit for West Berkshire police area, said: “We believe this is the first time this technique has been used in the Thames Valley. It has been a problem in the London area for some time, but several police operations there seem to have pushed the criminals into the Home Counties.
“Consequently we are asking the public to be wary of any suspicious-looking devices on the exterior doors of banks with lobbies which offer out-of-hours services and also of any paper signs. If a machine is out of order, the message will be displayed electronically on the machine’s screen.”
The three men seen in HSBC Newbury are of eastern European appearance and were all dressed in casual clothing.
If anyone has any information about the incident or believes they may also have been a victim in this way they are urged to contact PC Baumgart on 01635 264689 or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers service on 0800 555.
(gmcg)
Police investigations into a report of debit card fraud have discovered that a skimming device had been installed underneath the card swipe which allows access to the lobby of the bank out of hours. The skimmer is able to record the details held in the card’s magnetic strip, allowing them to be transferred to another card - a practice known as cloning.
CCTV footage taken from the bank on Tuesday 12 August shows three men entering the lobby shortly after 6pm. One man then installs a CCTV camera, which police believe was used to watch people entering their PIN details on the cash machine. They also put 'Out of Order' signs on other cash machines to encourage more people to use the machine in front of the camera.
PC Chris Baumgart, of the cheque and card fraud unit for West Berkshire police area, said: “We believe this is the first time this technique has been used in the Thames Valley. It has been a problem in the London area for some time, but several police operations there seem to have pushed the criminals into the Home Counties.
“Consequently we are asking the public to be wary of any suspicious-looking devices on the exterior doors of banks with lobbies which offer out-of-hours services and also of any paper signs. If a machine is out of order, the message will be displayed electronically on the machine’s screen.”
The three men seen in HSBC Newbury are of eastern European appearance and were all dressed in casual clothing.
If anyone has any information about the incident or believes they may also have been a victim in this way they are urged to contact PC Baumgart on 01635 264689 or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers service on 0800 555.
(gmcg)
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