Beware Tesco's cash machines

[Deleted User]

Just a quick post ,our local Tesco's cash machines have been got at by thieves.My friends husband had his card cloned at the one in my local area Rainham.Apparently 900 of their stores have been attacked in this way .So if you need cash watch what you are doing as it seems to be a common problem with supermarket cash machines. If you think there is something odd about the fronts of the machines then get cash back from the tills inside. The thieves out there want YOUR money so they can have a merry Chistmas too
Pal's husaband had several hundred pounds 'pinched' Everyones Christmas wages are going in early so they know that people won't be so vigilant with all of the rush at this time of the year.Bank will refund but it takes time and standing orders might run late ,a problem if you have mortgages to pay

Debras_Angel

Thanks jackie,

I did think our Tesco's machine looked a bit dodgy the other week, but thought it was me being too vigilant...no money taken out of my account though. So who knows I won't use it again and check next time I'm in.

Ta

Debs

daveonline

Everyone needs to be careful with cashmachines the banks wont admit it but its a lot more widespread then they say. Many cashpoints in my area ( Gosport and Fareham in Hampshire ) have had these false fronts fitted and other scams. So as mentioned use the bank inside, if not check the front of the cahpoint and see if it feels loose when you wiggle it.

tomstickland

My local Tescos had this happen about 2 weeks ago.

Savvy_Sue

that's why I like getting cashback instead of using ATMs! Also quite a few banks (not NatWest, don't know about others!) allow you to withdraw cash at the PO AFAIK. I know it means queuing but could be worthwhile if the supermarket / PO is open.

SkippyB

Also, look for cars parked nearby with persons (usually 2 or more) sat within them watching the cashpoint. They can take your PIN number by using a scanner. If you see anything sus like that, take the car reg down and don't use the cashpoint. Some of these false fronts are virtually undetectable and can contain a minature camera as well.

The safer cashpoints to use are those inside a store or bank lobbies, if you are still unsure then only use a cashpoint within your bank.

Use your common sense and if you feel there's something wrong, then there probably is! Call the police straight away and let them check it out!

Cariad_3

SkippyB can you explain more?

Do you need to use the cash machine for someone to take your pin number? I've never heard of this before.

Browntoa

this advice from Cumbria Polices Web site:-

Methods employed by these criminals are increasingly sophisticated, so much so that the customer is unaware of its presence until monies have been removed from the account.

The operation involves the acquisition of card details and customer PIN using devices such as door skimmers, a device underneath where the customer swipes the card which captures relevant customer information; or he Lebanese loop, a device placed over the card insert slot and designed to look like part of the original machine, which then traps the card once inserted. Use has also been made of pinhole cameras fitted on the machine to obtain PIN, which was then transmitted, to a receiver linked to a video recorder. The throat device, another device designed to fit over the card insert slot, which reads the magnetic stripe details and is used in connection with the pinhole camera.

Clones are then made of each of these cards with the associated PIN is written on the card. These include store loyalty cards, telephone top up cards etc. Transactions are made until there are no monies left in the account or the account is closed.

Our crime prevention advice is:

1. Keep your PIN safe, never write down your PIN number and never disclose it to anyone even if they claim to be from your bank or the police. Neither your bank nor the police would ask you to do this.

2. Place your hand over the keypad when entering your PIN, (to defeat the pinhole camera), shield the numbers with your other hand as you enter them and do not allow yourself to be distracted.

3. When using a cash machine be wary of anyone loitering or trying to watch you, who may be able to view your PIN.

4. If you are at all concerned that something is wrong or suspicious about the cash machine you are using try to stay with it and your card. Ask someone else to go into the bank for you to alert a member of staff or phone the bank/police from the machine. If this is not possible contact your bank and the police ASAP.

SkippyB

A skimmer uses varying different methods to take your pin number. You wont find the details explained as this may encourage even more offences. The method above is very hi tech but becoming very common. Another common use is for a skimmer to block the cash machine and when you try to use it, your card will appear to be stuck. A plausible member of the public will approach you and say something along the lines of 'oh mine did that too..think theres something wrong with the cash machine' and then persuade you to try again. They monitor your pin being out in and then when it fails again, you leave and they retrieve your card and have your pin.

Should this happen...dont input your number in front of them. Use your phone to call the number on the front of the machine. Also if you are very suspicious then call the police.

Never use an isolated cash machine. Never confront the person who is stood next to you and be aware of what is around you. These people can be dangerous.

I'm not scaremongering, I just want everyone to be aware of the lengths people will go to to get your money.

http://www.wiltshire.police.uk/news/newsview.asp?id=842

Above should help you, if in doubt then speak to your local bank or crime prevention officer for more advice.

Hope this helps.

MooseRich

Easiest thing to do is write down your banks number and leave it in your wallet. If the card goes missing in the cashpoint, call them straight up from your mobile. Don't confront anyone, you could get hurt, just walk away and round the corner and call your bank. The card will get stopped and you'll be safe. Most of the time it could well be just a genuine problem with the cashpoint, I've had one problem before and the card got stuck. Simply go home, get a statement and a form of ID and go into your local branch and you should still be able to withdraw money over the counter.

susi

Our local Tesco machines were "Got at" recently too. The problem is there are so many different ways this can be done, for us to be aware of them all, we would be hanging around the machines for ages sussing them out before we even dare to use them, scary business really