What police believe to be a card skimming device has been recovered from a cash machine outside the Co-Operative store on Lewes Road Brighton. Police were alerted to the device after three people had reported problems with the cash machine. In three separate incidents members of the public tried to withdraw money from the ATM last Friday (8th July) but their cards were sucked up by the machine as their transactions were declined.
Sussex Police officers promptly attended the machine and found the cloaking device in question glued to the card slot on the machine’s exterior. The Police officers promptly removed the device, it is also unknown how long the card machine had been there.
One victim who reported the faulty machine claimed she saw a man loitering in the vicinity of the Lewes Road store’s ATM on that Friday morning. He was described as a white male in his mid 20s, wearing a green hoodie, dark trousers with short dark hair.
Card cloakers or card skimming devices have been around now for a number of years but the month of June saw a real spike in them being reported. Similar incidents have also been reported in London, Peterborough and Glasgow within the last few weeks as the machines seem to have become more popular amongst fraudsters following a steady decline.
The public are reminded that if you are to find a similar device do not to attempt to remove the gadget yourself. Gangs and other individuals who can often become violent are often responsible for these devices. However, the public are encouraged to call the police immediately when finding such a device so it can be removed straight away preventing any further potential fraudulent activity.
If you spotted anything suspicious around the Lewes Road area last Friday please get in contact with the police as it may help to identify who actually placed the device on the ATM. We remind the public to stay vigilant when using ATM machines and to always cover your pin.
Email [email protected]
Call 101 (calls cost a flat rate of 15p per call) or 01273 470 101.
Textphone 18001 101.
Minicom 01273 483435 (please note, this is a text only service).
Fax 01273 404577.
Text 07786 208090.
Or alternatively contact crimestoppers anonymously with any relevant information.
https://crimestoppers-uk.org/ or by phone 0800 555 111
