Card gang strike at Tesco store
POLICE are hunting a gang who stole thousands of pounds by putting a card skimmer on a cash machine at a Tesco store on Hayling Island.
They were alerted after a man who used the ATM at the Tesco Express store in Elm Grove discovered that 2,000 was missing from his account.
Police are now warning people to be extra vigilant in case the gang has targeted other cash machines.
They say they do not know how long the device had been at Hayling and say there could be a number of victims.
Officers warned that the hi-tech card readers are becoming so sophisticated that criminals are able to download information from a card within seconds and use it to go on shopping sprees before victims have realised.
Sergeant Steve Pratley, from Hayling Island police station, said: 'The device was spotted by a security guard who was filling the machine with cash at the time.
'It is fixed over the real cash machine card slot and reads the card's details when a member of the public inserts their card into the machine.
'The device would have recorded the victim's details then the suspects would have taken the details from the device - usually downloading them to a computer of some type - and used them to commit fraudulent transactions.'
Police are now having the skimming device forensically examined.
It's the first one found in the area for some time, but police warned ATM users to be extra cautious.
'We would once again warn members of the public to be extra vigilant whenever they use a public cash machine to withdraw money,' said Sgt Pratley.
'Always pay careful attention when making a withdrawal and if you see anything suspicious about the machine, you should report it as soon as possible.
'Additionally, always cover your PIN when entering it and be aware of anyone standing around you, acting in a suspicious manner.'
He also urged people to check their accounts, adding: 'We only have one confirmed report of money being stolen at this point, but we would encourage anyone else who has used a cash machine in Elm Grove around the time the device was discovered to check their accounts and contact police if they believe they have had money taken from their accounts.'
The device was found on March 26.
Sgt Pratley said: 'This is the first reported case of such a device being used on Hayling Island and we are determined to make sure it is the last.' Sgt Pratley urged anyone with information about this incident to get in touch 'as soon as possible'.
Call 0845 045 045 45 or Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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