Letchworth: Police issue warning after ATM fraud

While the number of banks in Letchworth is dwindling by the day - with Barclays the latest to announce plans to pull out of our town - Herts Police has issued a warning to residents regarding ATM fraud.

Despite the shrinking num per of cashpoints - or ATM as they are known in our town - the warning comes after Letchworth Nub News reported that the town's Barclays will close for good on September 30, with Hertfordshire Constabulary issued a advice to residents recently following several thefts after bank cards had been retained by ATMs.

Fourteen offences were originally identified during June, with reports that bank cards were retained by ATMs and cash had later been withdrawn from accounts after the loss of the card. 

Detective Sergeant Mark Fava,said: "Following an investigation carried out by experts within the banking industry, it appears that in each of the reported thefts the machines retained the victim's bank card due to a discreet device which had been placed over the card slot of the machine. Initially it was thought that the device was scanning the cards and then transmitting the details and PIN to the offender.

"However, in each case it appears that the offender, or accomplice, has watched the victim input the PIN and then retrieved the trapped card. The offender has then later used the stolen card and PIN at another ATM.

As well as all the usual precautions you take when withdrawing cash, you should always examine the machine before use. If anything looks out of place or it has any parts which appear to have been added, do not use it and report your suspicions to the bank. If the machine fails to return your card or any cash you have withdrawn, you should contact your bank to inform them and then the police on our non-emergency number 101."

Always look closely at the card insertion point of a cash machine before using it. If it looks like it may have been tampered with, do not use it.

If you realise the machine has been tampered with after you have inserted your card, call your bank while still standing at the cash machine if it is safe to do so.

Always shield your hand when entering your PIN into a cash point keypad.

If the machine retains your card or fails to dispense cash you have withdrawn, without a suitable explanation message on the screen, contact your bank immediately and then police on our non-emergency number 101.

Please only reply if you have information that the sender has asked for by tapping on this email address: [email protected]. If you want to discuss anything else or report a crime, please refer to the Police Contact Advice below.