A warning in the Echo today about cashpoint crime in our area is well worth passing on:
FRAUDSTERS have been targeting cashpoints across south Essex over the past two weeks.
Police have seized five illegal devices in Benfleet, Rochford, and Rayleigh which have been swallowing up bank cards. A mobile phone camera than takes a picture of the person entering their pin number. The crook then has both the card and the pin. Incidents were reported at Barclays? branches in Rochford, Rayleigh and Benfleet, at a branch of Abbey in Benfleet, and at Lloyds TSB, also in Benfleet.
Essex Police report on this here:
Police are urging people to be extra vigilant when using cash machines after illegal devices were discovered on cashpoints at banks in Rochford and Castle Point.
Police patrols have been stepped up and banks put on alert after five cash dispensers were tampered with over the past two weeks.In three cases camera-enabled mobile phones were fixed to the machine to record pin numbers entered by unsuspecting members of the public. The devices were recovered by police and are now undergoing forensic examination.
Incidents were reported at Barclays? branches in Rochford, Rayleigh and Benfleet, at a branch of Abbey in Benfleet, and at Lloyds TSB, also in Benfleet.
Chief Inspector Andy Prophet, district commander for Rochford said: ?We would ask everyone using cash machines, especially those located outside banks, to be vigilant when withdrawing cash.?Be aware of anyone standing unusually close to you and check the Amachine for anything remotely suspicious. As well as the hidden mobile cameras crooks fit ?skimmer? devices over the card slot to read card numbers.
?If you are in any doubt about the security of the machine report it to the bank, and if you should discover a device, call police immediately.?