Officers in Portsmouth are warning people to take care when using cash machines in the city after a series of incidents where devices have been used to obtain people’s cards and PIN numbers.
During May, five reports have been received from people who have attempted to use cash machines in Fratton and Cosham and either not had their card returned or have noticed the device in place. Four of these have been reported in the last week.
On May 2 at 7.45pm, a man was using the cash point at Barclays in London Road when a piece of metal fell away from the upper part of the machine, revealing a camera.
The same cash point was being used again by a woman at around 8pm on Wednesday, May 20, but her card was not returned. She spoke to a member of staff she saw leaving the building who advised her to cancel her card.
At 9pm on Thursday, May 21, a woman was using the cash machine at Barclays in Cosham High Street became suspicious that there may have been a device attached to the machine and stopped a passing police officer. There were items attached to both the card slot and to the top of the machine, which were seized.
Only half an hour before, another woman had attempted to use the machine but her card had not been returned. This woman called the bank who cancelled her card straight away.
Finally, at around midday on Friday, May 22, a man and his girlfriend were using the cash machine at Lloyds TSB in Cosham High Street when they noticed someone using a device at the card slot of the machine next to them. They reported this activity to the bank.
Detective Constable Graham Gray said, “The most important thing is that people remain alert to this type of crime. There have already been four incidents reported in only a week, however there may still be more that we have not been notified of yet, and we are working hard to gather all available information.
“If ever you are suspicious or think there may be something out of the ordinary on a cash point, notify the bank immediately or call the police. It is also vital that if your card is retained in a machine you should cancel it immediately, to eliminate any risk to your account. If you can provide any information to us at all in relation to these incidents, please contact police.”
Can you help?
Anyone with information is asked to contact police in Portsmouth on 0845 045 45 45 or call the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111. Mini-Com users can call 01962 875000.
