Warning after scam device put on ATM
VISITORS to Hinckley have been urged to take care when withdrawing cash after an ATM was fitted with a scam device.
It was found attached to a cash machine at a bank in the town centre on the evening of Sunday, May 8.
Such gadgets, which are designed to make a user believe the ATM has not dispensed their money, may be hard to spot as they are grey and match the colour of the ATM.
It was fitted close to the slot fromwhere the money is usually dispensed and was eight to 10 inches long.
Officers, who did not name the specific premises, said in a crime update for the area: “If you believe the ATM you are using has been tampered with and the bank is open please make the bank aware immediately.
“If the bank is not open please contact the police on 101.”
To avoid being a victim of ATM fraud, you can cover your hand when inputting your PIN and store the 24-hour emergency contact number for all of your cards in your mobile or anywhere that’s easy to access.
If your card is not returned to you by a cash machine after use or the money not issued to you, call your card issuer immediately, if possible while still at the machine.
If you notice anything unusual or suspicious about an ATM, do not use it and report it to the bank or cash machine operator, or contact the police on 101.
Officers also warned residents of a common email or text scam appearing to be from well-known companies such as Amazon.
Scammers impersonate customer service workers, putting pressure on
you to give over information such as a credit card number or account password.
If you are unsure, end the call or chat and reach out to customer support using the official number.
Many scam links in messages will look almost identical to the legitimate website, so it is good practice to search for the site yourself rather clicking on links.