Two men charged with fraud after cashpoint scam (From York Press)

Two men charged with fraud after credit card scam

9:43am Thursday 3rd March 2011 in News By Mike Laycock, Chief reporter

TWO men arrested at a York store on suspicion of using cloned credit cards have been charged with fraud.

The news came as police warned of a growing threat from credit card scamsters targeting cashpoints across York and North Yorkshire.

Officers say they have seized two “Lebanese loops” in the county – equipment used at ATMs to skim debit and credit cards so they can be cloned to siphon money from people’s accounts – and say the use of such devices is on the rise.

The arrested men, both Romanian, aged 29 and 25, will appear before city magistrates later this month, each charged with three counts of fraud by false misrepresentation and one count of possession articles for use in connection with fraud.

Police said they were arrested at Boots store in Coney Street while buying gift cards, after a store detective became suspicious.

Detective Sergeant Garry Ridler, who leads the force’s investigations into card scams, said: “There has been an increase in the targeting of ATMs by organised groups.

“Some of the equipment used in such scams is quite sophisticated and expensive. The Lebanese loop* involves a false device being placed over the slot in the ATM where the card is inserted, which skims the magnetic strip inside the card.

“A separate keyhole camera films people as they key their PIN into the keyboard. The information is then used to clone a credit card, which can be used to take money out of an account.”

He said the cards were often used abroad where the chip and pin system used in Britain did not exist.

An alternative scam involved cards being skimmed and cloned abroad and then used in this country, where foreign cards which did not contain a chip could be used.

* Lebanese loop: The name comes from its regular use among Lebanese financial crime perpetrators.

Tips on how to prevent your card being cloned

• Protect your PIN by standing close to machine and shielding key pad with your other hand

• Check if anything looks unusual or suspicious about cash machine. If anything appears stuck onto the card slot or key pad, do not use it. Cancel transaction and walk away. Never try to remove suspicious devices; report them to police immediately

• Be cautious if strangers offer to help you at cash machine, even if your card is stuck or you’re having difficulties. Don’t allow anyone to distract you

• Where possible, use cash machine in clear view and well lit

• Check other people in the queue are reasonable distance away from you

• Keep your PIN secret. Never reveal it to anyone, even someone who claims to be calling from your bank or a police officer

• Regularly check your account balance and bank statements, and report any discrepancies to your bank immediately