UK cash machines are increasingly being targeted by criminals, with nearly two a day being tampered with. 635 such incidents were reported in 2008, representing a 17% increase on a year earlier.

Many of these incidents involved a skimming device being fitted, which copies the details of customers’ cards. When these devices are used in conjunction with a miniature camera that records PIN numbers as they are entered, criminals can make a fake card to be used in other machines.

Link representative Graham Mott said, “We’re urging the public to pass on information that they may have about cash machine crime, for example card skimming or physical attacks on cash machines themselves.

“Even something that may sound insignificant could be part of a bigger picture and prove invaluable in convicting someone involved in cash machine crime.”

Detective Chief Inspector John Folan, of the Dedicated Cheque and Plastic Crime Unit (DCPCU), said, “Tackling cash machine fraud is a continuing priority for the DCPCU, and a joined-up initiative of this nature has our full support.

“Any relevant information passed through to Crimestoppers will be used to help track down and arrest those responsible - which will not only disrupt criminal activity but also send out a clear message that we are cracking down hard on those carrying out crimes of this nature.”

This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 4th, 2009 at 10:07 am and is filed under Banking, Credit Cards, Savings. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.