The cash point distraction - how to protect yourself
Amy Power, 3rd August 2016, Household
No-one likes to believe that there are people in their home town waiting to scam them. But the sad truth is that there are criminals everywhere. This month we're looking at the cash point distraction technique and how to prevent yourself from becoming a victim.
This new scam is clever and fast. So you need to make sure that whenever you're using a cash machine you keep this advice in the forefront of your mind so you're not caught out.
The distraction technique
The basis of this scam does what it says on the tin, it's designed to
distract you.
1.
As you're using the cashpoint someone will subtly watch over your shoulder to get your pin. This is very easy for a professional scammer, and is completed quickly and stealthily.
2. Once they've memorised your pin and you've requested the money you wish to withdraw, they will conveniently drop their loose change in front of you; enticing you to bend down and help them pick up their coins. Resulting in your attention being diverted away from the cash point.
3. Then as you are bent down picking up the change, the accomplice who will be stood in the queue behind you will take your card out of the machine and replace it with an identical fake card.
4. When you return your attention to the cash machine your money will be there as will your "card". Fake cards are unbelievably realistic and it is unlikely you will notice that your card has changed.
5. Then as you leave the cash point, the scammer who dropped their coins will subtly give your pin to their accomplice, (the scammer who took your real card and replaced it with a fake), and casually leave so not to provoke suspicion.
6. The scammer who now has your real card will drain the account and begin spending your money.
The technique is quick and highly effective as the victim wont suspect their card has been compromised. It may sound like something you'd see in a James Bond film, but this scam is happening daily all over the UK.
Top tips:
- Be paranoid! If you think something looks suspicious use a different cash point, or go into a bank to withdraw your money.
- Don't let anyone distract you. Be firm and ignore anyone who tries to talk to you when you are at a cash point.
- If you think your card or pin security has been compromised contact your bank for advice as soon as possible, this way they can close your account if they need to.
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