Police prevent card 'skimming' fraud (From Daily Echo)

Two charged over Eastleigh card 'skimming' fraud

11:10am Monday 9th July 2012 in News By Bethan Phillips, Reporter

POLICE believe they have foiled a card “skimming” scam in a Hampshire town centre.

Officers swooped at Eastleigh High Street after they were tipped off about “suspicious activity”

there that was caught on CCTV in the early hours of Friday.

They then stopped a car near Southampton airport and arrested a 29-year-old man and a 41-year-old man from London.

Both have now been charged with a fraud offence and remain in custody. They are jointly accused of having in their possession or under their control an article, namely tools, a camera and other articles, for use in the course of or in connection with a fraud.

Police say they believe the alleged scam has been stopped before anyone was defrauded but are urging residents to be vigilant.

“Skimming” is where fraudsters clone bank cards and steal PINs and account numbers using hi-tech equipment they install at cash machines.

People can protect themselves by shielding their hand when entering their pin and reporting anything suspicious about cash machines, including loose or damaged fittings around the keypad or card slots, to either the bank or the police.

Sergeant Chris Spellerberg from Eastleigh Police said officers were fighting against increasingly sophisticated “skimming” equipment.

He added: “Skimming is where thieves steal your PIN and account number using remote devices, often by organised crime gangs using hi-tech equipment.

“This type of crime isn’t new, but the equipment being used is getting more and more sophisticated.

“Often it will include a device to capture the data on your card coupled with a hidden camera.

With this information thieves can quickly access your money.”

Anyone with information should call Eastleigh Police on 101.