ATM fraud - Bury area

coopcustomer

Hi, just checking if anyone else was a victim of ATM fraud in the Tottington, Bury, Lancs area on the weekend of 1st-2nd September?
I had £200+£50 scammed from my account within a 3 minute period whilst trying to unsuccessfuly withdraw £10. My card was swallowed and the machine went 'out of order' . Reported to my bank, local police and the place where the cash machine is located. In conversation with my bank this morning the withdrawals occurred at another ATM approx 1 mile away. I am following this up with my bank but they have got a 2 WEEK backlog of similar claims they are currently dealing with! Is this usual?!? I just don't want anyone else to fall victim to this and would be interested if anyone has had a similar recent experience. I don't get the feeling that banks are taking this kind of fraud seriously enough and it is definitely on the increase from other conversations I've had.

maninthestreet

Did you notice anyone loitering near the ATM at all?

coopcustomer

No, but it did sound clunky when I put the card in (mind you, it is an ancient machine so quite often sounds clunky). There was no-one in the queue behind me and my partner. I'm never using that particular ATM again and it makes me even more wary of using them in general now!

xxJudexx

My card details were stolen from an ATM recently. I didn't even know about it until my card was blocked and my bank contacted me. They were really good and refunded the fraudulent transaction straight away (luckily it was only one, the £4000 one was blocked from going ahead!). I then had to sign a declaration to say it wasn't my transaction and that was that. Who do you bank with? I'm with NatWest and I have to say they couldn't have dealt with it any better.

dacouch

If you cover your hands up when you enter your PIN, these types of frauds do not normally happen as they need your PIN to be able to withdraw money

societys_child

Who do you bank with?

I'm guessing coop (but I could be wrong);)

xxJudexx

societys_child wrote: »

I'm guessing coop (but I could be wrong);)

Ha ha! I didn't even notice that

coopcustomer

Yep, it's Smile (Co-op) Bank. They're not exactly being unhelpful but they've already cocked it up by delaying reporting it as fraud for a week and now say it may take another 2 weeks as they are over-run with fraud cases. Not impressed and will move my account and all savings etc with them if not sorted. I get the feeling the staff in the call centres are doing their best but the banks should really be coming up with some workable solutions to tackle the growing number of cases.... Rant over!

expatasia

Sorry to read about your experience.

To avoid the stress of using ATMs I think I'd use cashback from the big supermarkets, are they the only shops that do that in Britain? Do UK financial institutions nowadays have cashpoints located inside the bank itself (like out here)?

hoyles10

Was it the cash machine at the Co-Op opposite the chemists? I had my card done there in the past and know a couple of people who also may have been victim to the same sort of thing that all have that cash machine in common. I now always cover my pin and where I can use a cash machine inside a bank.

shaymenRup

If you use the same cash machine look out for changes (and be suspicious of them).
Check noone is loitering too close - don't be afraid to tell someone to move away (politely)
Check the card slot looks right BEFORE you insert your card - run your finger along the slot.
Use both hands to cover the keypad and try use a middle finger(s) to input the PIN.
If the machine swallows your card - ring the bank immediately to cancel it - you can also order your new one at the same time.
Treat your PIN with care - without it your card / card details are worthless!!