Shadowy world of cashpoint conmen & their terrifying ploys – including 3-point ‘distraction’ technique & scan device
CASHPOINT conmen are using a simple trick to steal money from victims who have no idea that they’ve just been robbed.
The shadowy crims are using a simple three-point technique that leaves the target actually feeling good about themselves.
But their account could be emptied before they even realise.
Brazen crims pounce with a simple but ingenious heist when their victim, a mark, is using an ATM.
The heist involves using a distraction to lure the gaze of the mark away from their card or cash.
As the mark begins using the ATM, one of the crims gets in close behind them and notes down the pin number they enter into the machine.
As they do this, they appear distracted by faffing with their bag, but secretly they are watching over the mark’s shoulder.
At the opportune moment, she then drops her bag, money, or some other item leading to the mark turning around to help.
As the target takes his gaze off the ATM, another person who is standing nearby swoops in to take the card, switch it out for a fake one, or withdraw cash.
That person could be standing at another ATM next to the mark or standing having a cigarette.
If the crims take the card and leave the cash behind, the victim might even walk away with the cash in their pocket thinking everything is fine.
They might even think they’ve done a good deed helping the person behind them with their dropped bag.
But, now that the gang have the card and the PIN, they can drain all the money in the account.
In one case a 93-year-old man was defrauded of £23,000.
The Mirror reported that three conmen used a distraction to get the eyes of the pensioner away from his card.
They stole his card and had noted his PIN outside a NatWest branch. While he was distracted, a second man swapped his bank card for a fake one.
It was only later that the victim realised he didn’t have his own card – and the criminals later used the details to siphon money from his account.
In 2016, Gordon Urquhart, 66, from West Yorkshire, had £300 swiped from his account by cashpoint conment.
What to look out for when using an ATM
Check the receipt slot: Take a close look at the slot and eye-up whether there is any noticeable damage, as that could be a sign of external tampering.
Watch out for hidden cameras: Anything that looks out-of-place or anything that clutters the screen could have been attached by criminals and hold miniature cameras that will record you while you enter your pin number.
Check that the card reader is securely fastened: Make sure the card reader doesn’t look damaged, tampered with or loose, as certain pieces of equipment can be placed inside that will harvest data from the card while inside the ATM.
Watch out for fake keypads: Likewise with the card reader, the false keypads can be equally as damaging – signs of it being fake are if it feels loose, thick, or sponge-like.
Check there is nothing attached to the outside of the machine: All ATM’s generally feature the same components, an out-of-place piece of plastic that looks attached could have been placed by crooks who have inserted a hidden camera into it – recording your pin number and anything that appears on the screen.
He told the Daily Mail that two thieves interrupted him and repeatedly told him the ATM he was using was broken.
Somewhere in the commotion, they managed to take out £300 from his account.
And that’s not the only scam that criminals have been using lately.
Northern Irish police have warned that people claiming they’re from the Republic of Ireland are telling marks they’ve lost their cash and cards and have no way of getting home.
Chief Inspector Alan Lowry said: “They then ask people to withdraw money from a cash machine in exchange for an immediate bank transfer – showing proof on a mobile phone of the exchange leading the victim to believe the money has already been deposited into their account.
“However, the money never arrives into the victim’s bank account. Sums ranging up to £500 in cash have been taken by criminals from accounts.”
How to protect yourself from ATM fraud
Banking trade body UK Finance has the following advice to protect yourself from ATM fraud:
- Stand close to the cash machine. Always shield the keypad with your free hand and your body to avoid anyone seeing you enter your PIN. This will protect your PIN from anyone who might be looking over your shoulder, and also help to keep your PIN safe if a fraudster has set up a hidden camera that is filming the keypad.
- Be alert and put your personal safety first. If someone is crowding or watching you, cancel the transaction and go to another machine. Do not accept help from seemingly well-meaning strangers and never allow yourself to be distracted.
- Don’t leave the ATM if your card is sucked in. Fraudsters sometimes fit devices to cash machines that trap your card, which they then retrieve as soon as you have left the area. If your card is retained by the machine for any reason, report it to your card company immediately, ideally using your mobile phone while you are still in front of the machine. Make sure you have your card company’s 24 hour contact number stored in your mobile phone. You should also freeze your card using your card issuer’s app if they provide this service.
- Don’t use dodgy machines. If you spot anything unusual about the cash machine, or there are signs of tampering, do not use it. Report it to the bank concerned immediately.
- Destory mini statements. Once you have completed a transaction put your money and card away before leaving the cash machine. Destroy or preferably shred your cash machine receipts, mini-statements or balance enquiries when you dispose of them.