Tesco at Applemore

Police believe that a cloning device was fitted to the Royal Bank of Scotland cashpoint at Tesco in Sizer Way, Dibden Purlieu, between Thursday 4 and Sunday 7 May.

It is not known how long the device was attached to the ATM during that four day period, but officers at Hythe police station are continuing to receive reports from concerned members of the public saying cash has been stolen from their bank accounts.

In some cases more than £1,000 has been taken from individual accounts, after cards have been cloned and then withdrawals made at cashpoints in the London area.

Police believe an organised gang is responsible for the scam and may be operating across the south coast.

Cloning devices are often fitted to the slot where customers insert their bank cards, scanning the material from the black strip on the reverse of the card. That information is then used to create replica cards.

Officers are urging anyone who used their card at this ATM between these dates to check bank statements.

Inspector John Kenna of Hythe police station said: “We are currently liaising with our neighbouring forces to establish any patterns in relation to these scams. It is vital that members of the public, who suspect anything suspicious when attempting to withdraw money from a cash machine, do not go ahead with the transaction and report anything untoward to police, immediately.”   

Members of the public are being offered this advice:

• If you approach a cash machine and there appears to be a device fitted to the slot where you put your card in then don’t use it under any circumstances.

• Report your concerns to the police immediately and also the bank or store where the cashpoint is situated.

• Always cover the buttons with your hand when you type in your PIN code. Some cashpoint cloning devices are tiny cameras fitted above the machine, which records what numbers you are typing in. Always disguise what numbers you are pressing.

• Never remove or touch a suspicious device that you suspect may be attached to an ATM. This may be vital evidence that police need to preserve.

Anyone who witnessed any suspicious vehicles or persons in the vicinity of the Royal Bank of Scotland ATM at Tesco in Dibden Purlieu between May 4 and 7 are asked to contact PC Teresa Young at Hythe police station on 0845 045 45 45.