Bank card ATM thefts

An informative email has been in circulation recently, highlighting a series of CCTV images to show how criminals can tamper with an ATM to steal your card and PIN number.

• Criminals who organise these scams often work in teams. One individual will appear to be taking money out of the cash point, when he is, in fact, inserting a trap into the machine

• The 'look-out' warns the person placing the trap of any potential eye-witnesses or the next victim
• The next person to use the ATM inserts the card and begins the transaction, but their card gets confiscated
• The scammer then arrives at the scene, posing as a 'good samaritan'
• The scammer convinces the ATM customer to enter his PIN again, while the scammer holds down 'cancel' and 'enter' on the machine. Now the scammer knows the PIN number
• After a number of attempts, the customer believes that his card has been confiscated by the bank and leaves the ATM
• Once the customer has gone, the scammer returns to the ATM and removes the card from his trap. This time, he uses the machine for real, removing money from the customer's bank account

If this happens to you:

1. Look at the ATM slot and the card reader for signs of tampering. Can you see the ends of a trap glued to the slot? If so, pick off the glue and pull the trap out to recover your card
2. Report the incident to your bank immediately
3. If you'd like to pass on information about an ATM or card crime anonymously, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or fill out our anonymous online Giving Information Form
4. If you need emotional support after being victim of a crime, contact your local Victim Support branch. You can find your local branch in your phone book under 'Advice and Counselling Services'

Download the full ATM bank card theft document.