Card clone criminals hit shoppers at ATM
Friday, 21st April 2006.
SHOPPERS have been robbed of thousands of pounds in an elaborate scam.
At least £4,000 has been stolen by thieves using state-of-the-art technology at a supermarket cash point. Police are aware of seven victims, but fear more could have been caught out.
The thefts happened at Sainsbury's, Haycocks Road, Haverhill and involved a "skimming" device attached to the cash point. This equipment is used to read cards and pin numbers so a clone card can be created to use elsewhere. Victims only realise something is wrong after cash has been drained from their accounts.
One of the victims was Louise Hille, who works in Haverhill as a sales adviser. She had £400 taken from her account.
She said: "Before this happened I would never pay much attention when drawing money out. You just don't think it's something that is going to happen to you. It was certainly a shock."
Bank records show the thieves used cash points in South London to withdraw the money. Louise's bank has said money will be returned to her account within two weeks.
Sainsbury's said: "We ensure all our ATM machines are regularly checked for suspect devices or tampering.
"Unfortunately, no skimming device at Haverhill was detected or indeed reported to us. Suffolk police have however confirmed they believe incidences of skimming took place at the Haycocks Road ATM.
"We are therefore assisting them in any way we can with their investigation. We would advise anyone who suspects their card has been fraudulently used to report it to their card issuer immediately and if they notice anything out of the ordinary at an ATM to report it to the store and the police."
Thefts are believed to have happened between Sunday and Thursday, April 9-13.
Paul Rawlings, from Suffolk police's economic crime unit, said: "To reduce the chance of becoming a victim of a cash point crime, examine the machine closely before you check for pin hole cameras to see if there is anything stuck to it, or in the card slot. If there is anything at all that does not look right, do not use the machine and report it immediately to the bank or the police."
Anyone with information is asked to call police on (01284) 774100.
At least £4,000 has been stolen by thieves using state-of-the-art technology at a supermarket cash point. Police are aware of seven victims, but fear more could have been caught out.
The thefts happened at Sainsbury's, Haycocks Road, Haverhill and involved a "skimming" device attached to the cash point. This equipment is used to read cards and pin numbers so a clone card can be created to use elsewhere. Victims only realise something is wrong after cash has been drained from their accounts.
One of the victims was Louise Hille, who works in Haverhill as a sales adviser. She had £400 taken from her account.
She said: "Before this happened I would never pay much attention when drawing money out. You just don't think it's something that is going to happen to you. It was certainly a shock."
Bank records show the thieves used cash points in South London to withdraw the money. Louise's bank has said money will be returned to her account within two weeks.
Sainsbury's said: "We ensure all our ATM machines are regularly checked for suspect devices or tampering.
"Unfortunately, no skimming device at Haverhill was detected or indeed reported to us. Suffolk police have however confirmed they believe incidences of skimming took place at the Haycocks Road ATM.
"We are therefore assisting them in any way we can with their investigation. We would advise anyone who suspects their card has been fraudulently used to report it to their card issuer immediately and if they notice anything out of the ordinary at an ATM to report it to the store and the police."
Thefts are believed to have happened between Sunday and Thursday, April 9-13.
Paul Rawlings, from Suffolk police's economic crime unit, said: "To reduce the chance of becoming a victim of a cash point crime, examine the machine closely before you check for pin hole cameras to see if there is anything stuck to it, or in the card slot. If there is anything at all that does not look right, do not use the machine and report it immediately to the bank or the police."
Anyone with information is asked to call police on (01284) 774100.
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