06/02/12…WARNING: Skimming devices on cash machines – Oxfordshire

THAMES Valley Police is urging people to be vigilant when using cash machines after skimming devices have been used in Oxfordshire.

The first incident took place at 2.05pm on Wednesday (1/2), at the Co-operative store in Old Marston Road, Oxford. The cash machine was targeted by offenders who placed a sticky silver/grey strip across the cash dispensing slot. This prevents the cash from being dispensed to the user after they have entered their details.

When the user walks away from the machine, the offender approaches it, removes the strip, and collects the money, which is now attached to the strip.

The second incident took place between 4.25pm and 4.45pm on Wednesday (1/2), when the cash machine at the Co-operative store in Lobstock Place, Didcot was targeted.

PC Martin Whaley, of Didcot police station, said: ?I appeal to anyone who has seen people acting suspiciously near to cash machine in Oxford and Didcot to contact police as you may be able to assist with our enquiries.

?I would also like to speak to anyone who thinks they may have been a victim of this to come forward and contact us. We believe the two incidents are linked.?

Anyone who witnessed the incident, saw anyone behaving suspiciously in the area, or has any other information which may assist police with their investigation is asked to contact PC Whaley via the 24-hour Police Enquiry Centre on 101.

If you don’t want to speak directly to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

To prevent cash point fraud, please follow this advice:

Check the machine you are using for evidence of tampering, particularly the card reader slot and PIN panel

Stand close to the cash machine screen and shield your keystrokes with your hand as you enter your PIN number
Check no-one is spying on you over your shoulder
If you suspect a cash machine is not working properly, press cancel and remove your card, then report the incident to your bank

Do not remove any suspicious device you find, as they are valuable to the criminal and they may use force to retrieve them

If you notice anything suspicious with a cash machine, report it to the bank or shop it is located at, or to the police

Note down your debit and credit card details, so that you can cancel them quickly if they?re stolen or lost
Never write down your PIN number in case thieves find it after stealing your purse or wallet.

SOURCE: Press release
Image: Courtesy of themissinglist.co.uk