BRITS are being warned about ATM scams sweeping Britain, with their money vanishing in minutes.
Cash point cons have claimed multiple victims in Hertfordshire – with one losing £700 while they were still standing at the cashpoint.
Brits draw out cash ATMS and – using a multitude of barely-there tricks – crooks make their money disapear in a flash.
In Hitchin, one woman tried to withdraw money but watched as the machine ate her card and a message on the screen read that it was unavailable, reports This Is Money.
While still at the cashpoint she called her bank, trying to work out what had happened, and noticed two cash withdrawals of £350 at a nearby cashpoint minutes later.
She then noticed a fourth attempt was tried, but luckily the card had been blocked before it could go through.
A second case saw a victim use her card in Hertford, and was asked to enter a six-digit security code which she entered and watched as money left her account.
Then, a third case was recorded when a chewed-up card was used eight times by thieves in Hoddesdon, and a fourth case just like it happened in St Albans.
Hertfordshire Constabulary’s Detective Sergeant Mark Fava, said: ‘It appears that these thefts are being achieved by a discreet device being placed over the card slot of the machine, which scans the card details, transmits the data to the criminal and then blocks the card from being returned.”
DS Fava advised Brits – if they’re card is retained by an ATM – to “cancel or suspend” their bank card immediately.
It’s not the only scam tricking Brits out of hard-earned-cash, and below is a roundup of ones you should watch out for.
iPod scam
A TikToker put out a video explaining a scam where criminals used an iPod to record innocent people while they enter their details and withdraw money.
Thieves strap the MP3 players to the roof of ATMs and use its recording feature to film customers entering their PIN numbers.
The iPod is hidden in a piece of plastic designed specifically to blend in, with the lens filming through an almost undetectable gap.
They then double-down on the con by placing a piece of plastic over the card reader which is designed to trap the victim’s card.
When the victim walks away, criminals remove the card and take cash from the account using the pin they recorded on the iPod.
Distraction scam
The nasty trick involves a distraction technique where crooks claim the PIN of unsuspecting victims without them even knowing.
Scammers work in pairs to pull off the deception, with the first fraudster approaching an ATM where their victim is standing.
The thief then takes a note of their PIN before dropping cash and tapping the victim on the arm.
They then pretend to hand over the money and falsely claim the cash machine isn’t working.
While the victim is distracted, the second thief cancels the current transaction and steals their card – leaving them to think their card was chewed up.
How to protect yourself from ATM fraud
Banking trade body UK Finance has the following advice to protect yourself from ATM fraud:
- Stand close to the cash machine. Always shield the keypad with your free hand and your body to avoid anyone seeing you enter your PIN. This will protect your PIN from anyone who might be looking over your shoulder, and also help to keep your PIN safe if a fraudster has set up a hidden camera that is filming the keypad.
- Be alert and put your personal safety first. If someone is crowding or watching you, cancel the transaction and go to another machine. Do not accept help from seemingly well-meaning strangers and never allow yourself to be distracted.
- Don’t leave the ATM if your card is sucked in. Fraudsters sometimes fit devices to cash machines that trap your card, which they then retrieve as soon as you have left the area. If your card is retained by the machine for any reason, report it to your card company immediately, ideally using your mobile phone while you are still in front of the machine. Make sure you have your card company’s 24 hour contact number stored in your mobile phone. You should also freeze your card using your card issuer’s app if they provide this service.
- Don’t use dodgy machines. If you spot anything unusual about the cash machine, or there are signs of tampering, do not use it. Report it to the bank concerned immediately.
- Destory mini statements. Once you have completed a transaction put your money and card away before leaving the cash machine. Destroy or preferably shred your cash machine receipts, mini-statements or balance enquiries when you dispose of them.
Hidden box scam
The crime is done on dual purpose cash machines, which have two identical looking slots – one withdrawals and a second one deposits.
Crooks then place plastic covers over the top of withdrawal slots which collect your cash.
It tricks unsuspecting people into thinking there’s only one box for both deposits and withdrawals.
The plastic cover has a sneaky container which stealthily collects your money, but makes it look like the machine is just out of order and unable to process your request.
What to look out for when using an ATM
Check the receipt slot: Take a close look at the slot and eye-up whether there is any noticeable damage, as that could be a sign of external tampering.
Watch out for hidden cameras: Anything that looks out-of-place or anything that clutters the screen could have been attached by criminals and hold miniature cameras that will record you while you enter your pin number.
Check that the card reader is securely fastened: Make sure the card reader doesn’t look damaged, tampered with or loose, as certain pieces of equipment can be placed inside that will harvest data from the card while inside the ATM.
Watch out for fake keypads: Likewise with the card reader, the false keypads can be equally as damaging – signs of it being fake are if it feels loose, thick, or sponge-like.
Check there is nothing attached to the outside of the machine: All ATM’s generally feature the same components, an out-of-place piece of plastic that looks attached could have been placed by crooks who have inserted a hidden camera into it – recording your pin number and anything that appears on the screen.
There are other tactics used to fish for info and steal cash, like inserting cameras in the machine’s audio jack.
A general way to keep safe is to just audit the machine’s appearance, if you notice anything that looks like it doesn’t belong – don’t use it.
If you fall victim to the scam, call your bank straight away and block your card.
Utilising online banking is a great way to act fast if you think – or know – money is being taken from your account as most banking apps allow you to block your card with the click of a button.
By doing this you will not spend any time waiting to speak to banking staff as crooks swiftly empty your account.
