From http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2007/nov/14/scamsandfraud.personalfinancenews
Fraudsters target London Underground customers
British Transport Police (BTP) said its Credit Card Fraud Investigation Unit had recovered 27 skimming devices this year that had been used 58 times on London Underground ticket machines.
The devices clone the details of credit or debit cards so that counterfeit ones can be made, while a camera records the card's pin as the holder types it in.
BTP said two people were currently in custody after being caught using a skimming device at a station on the Piccadilly line, and in a raid last month police discovered a "factory" in which skimming devices were being made.
Fraudsters have previously used skimming devices on ATMs and at petrol stations, but following a successful crackdown by the police it is thought they have now moved on to ticket machines.
The devices have so far only been discovered on machines on the underground, but it is believed they could also be used on machines such as those at mainline railway stations.
Superintendent Paul Shrubsole said: "Our specialist credit card fraud investigation team is working very closely with London Underground staff to remove these devices from use, and identify the offenders who are benefiting from them."
He added that the devices were very difficult for consumers to spot as they fit squarely on top of the ticket machine keypad.
"We're working with the machine manufacturers and London Underground on design features that can prevent the attachment of skimming devices," he said.
A growing problem
Fraud on counterfeit credit and debit cards cost the industry £72.3m in the six months to June - a 37% jump on the losses incurred during the same period last year.
Payments industry body Apacs warned consumers to be alert when they were using their cards in machines.
A spokesman said: "This is the same type of fraud as was happening at cash machines, and then moved to petrol stations.
"The same messages apply. Check the machine before you use it. If a machine looks different or unusual, that is a sign it has been tampered with."
He also urged cardholders to shield the keypad with their free hand while they typed in their pin and warned them to look out for people hanging around, as these may be fraudsters who were keeping an eye on their equipment.
He added that people should also regularly check their bank statements for unauthorised payments in case they had been a victim of fraud
Fraudsters target London Underground customers
- Press Association
- Guardian Unlimited Wednesday November 14 2007
British Transport Police (BTP) said its Credit Card Fraud Investigation Unit had recovered 27 skimming devices this year that had been used 58 times on London Underground ticket machines.
The devices clone the details of credit or debit cards so that counterfeit ones can be made, while a camera records the card's pin as the holder types it in.
BTP said two people were currently in custody after being caught using a skimming device at a station on the Piccadilly line, and in a raid last month police discovered a "factory" in which skimming devices were being made.
Fraudsters have previously used skimming devices on ATMs and at petrol stations, but following a successful crackdown by the police it is thought they have now moved on to ticket machines.
The devices have so far only been discovered on machines on the underground, but it is believed they could also be used on machines such as those at mainline railway stations.
Superintendent Paul Shrubsole said: "Our specialist credit card fraud investigation team is working very closely with London Underground staff to remove these devices from use, and identify the offenders who are benefiting from them."
He added that the devices were very difficult for consumers to spot as they fit squarely on top of the ticket machine keypad.
"We're working with the machine manufacturers and London Underground on design features that can prevent the attachment of skimming devices," he said.
A growing problem
Fraud on counterfeit credit and debit cards cost the industry £72.3m in the six months to June - a 37% jump on the losses incurred during the same period last year.
Payments industry body Apacs warned consumers to be alert when they were using their cards in machines.
A spokesman said: "This is the same type of fraud as was happening at cash machines, and then moved to petrol stations.
"The same messages apply. Check the machine before you use it. If a machine looks different or unusual, that is a sign it has been tampered with."
He also urged cardholders to shield the keypad with their free hand while they typed in their pin and warned them to look out for people hanging around, as these may be fraudsters who were keeping an eye on their equipment.
He added that people should also regularly check their bank statements for unauthorised payments in case they had been a victim of fraud
