News

Kent police warn over credit card fraud

Posted by editor on Jun 14, 2006 - 09:57 AM
Filed under: Articles, Crime fighting initiatives

KENT POLICE WARN OVER CREDIT CARD FRAUD

Police are issuing advice to all credit and debit card users as they continue to investigate a number of reports of fraudulent activity in Kent.

A number of locations in Kent have been identified where this fraudulent activity has taken place. Just over 800 cards have been targeted.

To date there have been 22 arrests in relation to this criminal activity in Kent.

There is currently a national problem involving PIN pads at some petrol stations being modified to compromise card details contained on the magnetic strip of credit and debit cards (and the related card PIN).

The data collected from the cards is mainly used to withdraw money from ATMs in various part of the world.

While the PIN pad reader is being used to facilitate this crime, it is important to note that the data being compromised is from the magnetic strip of the card and not the chip.

People whose cards have been compromised in this way, may find that money isn't withdrawn from their account straightaway. In some instances it make take up to three months.

Kent Police continue to work with other police forces as well as the banking and retail industries to reduce the risk and bring those responsible to justice.

Detective Sergeant David West: â€œWe would urge members of the public to be vigilant when using credit and debit cards to carry out transactions.

â€œAlways shield the keypad when entering your PIN so that it can't be seen by others, or by concealed video recording devices.

â€œIf a transaction is carried out using the chip reader, there is no reason why the retailer should swipe the card through another machine. If this is done the customer should question the retailer or report the matter to the bank or police.

â€œCheck account statements regularly and query with your bank any transactions that you do not recognise.â€?

If you are a victim of this type of crime report it to your bank or building society and the police as soon as possible.

When reporting the matter to the police it is important to provide the card number (16-18 digit number printed across the middle of the card) as this will help in the investigation.