Never ending cashpoint scams in East Dulwich

[maritap]

My daughter went to the HSBC cashpoint last night around 9.15 and it swallowed her card... And gave her no money... The machine said there was a fault... She returned home and rang her bank and when she checked her acct this morning within 10 minutes a considerable amount had been withdrawn. I can't understand why the banks haven't got on top of this yet.. She covered her pin as usual but I guess whoever came along and retrieved the card somehow and had a field day.. However the bank is sorting it out but it seems to be happening too frequent out on The Lane now...

[Countrlass22]

Hi how awful

same thing happened to me at an HSBC machine in Lewisham i rang my bank right away card blocked so thankfully no money taken do hope she gets her money back.

Wonder if scam then.

[maritap]

They must be professionals...from what I've read on here it always seems to be HSBC. Yes her bank will reimburse the money it's still very annoying.

[peckhambog]

I know it's a drag (and I haven't done it yet) but the best practice is to store the emergency telephone number on the back of your card in your mobile so you can call it up when you are still by the machine. Do not leave the machine. The criminals will be watching from a distance (though sometimes they shoulder surf for your PIN if they haven't fitted a camera). I know this doesn't help out of hours but the safest ATMs are inside the bank during business hours.

[SpookyMagoo]

Also - a girl approached me in a bit of a flap as I was putting my pin in the Barclays corner hole-in-the-wall and said "oh no - i left my money in the machine - quick let me just check!" She was ?spanish/itlaian - with a dog. I said I am terribly sorry but there was another person here before me - so I wouldnt have seen.

A scam? possibly..?

Just be aware of ANYONE approaching you at a hole-in-the-wall.....

[peckhambog]

Yes a scam. Distraction theft.

Version 1. Has previously watched you enter your PIN. Your card presents before your cash. By interrupting you she takes your card discreetly from the machine. You are concerned for your cash and take it, and having been unsettled by the interruption forget you haven't taken your card. She goes to another nearby machine and attempts several withdrawals at the maximum limit.

Version 2. She says "Is that your money on the floor?" There is a note on the ground and you bend down to investigate. She or a second person takes your cash which is waiting to be removed. They disappear and you wonder where you're at (which stage) on the ATM transaction.

ALWAYS BE AWARE IF ANYONE (OR TWO) IS HANGING AROUND THE MACHINE.

DON'T RESPOND TO ANY DISTRACTIONS.

[stacey-lyn]

After visiting a cashpoint recently and after he had finished putting the money into his wallet and pocket, my elderly father had a whole cup of coffee spilt over him by one 'very nice young woman' who apologised profusely and started wiping it off him while her accomplice took the wallet. Upset and soaked in coffee, he made his way home and only then realised the wallet and the substantial withdrawal was gone. He notified the bank straight away, cancelled the cards that had already been used miles away and on internet purchases. The bank did not reimburse the cash he withdrew - as this was not 'cash machine fraud' (under the 2009 Payment Services Regulations), only the money withdrawn by the scammers subsequently and on the internet. They wouldn't even check the cameras at the cashpoint and no investigation was made.

[KestonKid]

Where was this?

[stacey-lyn]

Not ED. But when speaking to the police, they said it isn't the first time this scam was reported and not only in London. Scammers quickly move and change the geographical areas they operate in. Just to add - be vigilant about this type of liquid spilling scam.