21/08/2013

IPSO Warning Over New ATM Scam

A warning has been issued to users of ATM cash machines about a new scam in which cardholders are being distracted to allow thieves to steal their money.

The Irish Payment Services Organisation (IPSO) said that the elderly and vulnerable people are being specifically targeted in the attacks.

It is understood that in the past week, some six cases of the distraction theft have been reported, with some €30,000 being stolen, according to the IPSO.

The scam involves a device being fitted that traps the card in the machine. When an unsuspecting persons uses the machine someone will watch them key in their PIN. Once the card fails to returned, the criminal will step forward and offer to help them retrieve it, but actually hands over a substitute dud card – these are believed to be card that have been stolen previously and since cancelled.

When the person leaves, the criminal can then retrieve the real card and withdraw cash using the persons own PIN number.

The IPSO is warning people to avoid talking to strangers at ATMs and to inform elderly or vulnerable friends and family about the scam.

(MH/CD)

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