Scams to watch out for in London?
Mar 9th, 2005, 02:27 PM
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Scams to watch out for in London?
Hi,
Was looking at the 'Rick Steve's' site and there was a mention about an ATM scam. Basically the thief puts some kind of insert in the ATM machine and when you swipe your card in the machine, the insert takes a swipe as well. Pretty scary stuff.
Does anyone know how to watch for and recognize that particular scam? How in the world can you figure out what's inserted? Hope there's a way!
Also thought this might be a useful thread to anyone that want to be aware and watch out for any scams that may be perpetrated in general.
Please share so we can be all the wiser and safer for it.
Was looking at the 'Rick Steve's' site and there was a mention about an ATM scam. Basically the thief puts some kind of insert in the ATM machine and when you swipe your card in the machine, the insert takes a swipe as well. Pretty scary stuff.
Does anyone know how to watch for and recognize that particular scam? How in the world can you figure out what's inserted? Hope there's a way!
Also thought this might be a useful thread to anyone that want to be aware and watch out for any scams that may be perpetrated in general.
Please share so we can be all the wiser and safer for it.
Mar 9th, 2005, 02:40 PM
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Something about this was posted in my college in the UK late last year. I don't remember all the specific details, but where you put the ATM card had sort of like a covering over it ... I can't really explain it very well, but there was a noticable difference. I doubt that is something happening on every street corner or ATM; I wouldn't worry excessively about it.
Mar 9th, 2005, 02:41 PM
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That's aimed at residents moreso than tourists.
It works by having a faux keypad covering the real one, and a card-reader inserted into the slot. When the user inserts their card, the magnetic strip information is recorded, and the PIN is too by means of the faux keypad. Then the criminal can write a fake card and withdraw cash with ease.
Simply check that the keypad is original, and there is nothing suspicious in the card slot!
It works by having a faux keypad covering the real one, and a card-reader inserted into the slot. When the user inserts their card, the magnetic strip information is recorded, and the PIN is too by means of the faux keypad. Then the criminal can write a fake card and withdraw cash with ease.
Simply check that the keypad is original, and there is nothing suspicious in the card slot!
Mar 9th, 2005, 03:27 PM
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Incidentally, they are doing this a lot in the US too, so I would imagine everyone needs to be very careful.
The machines I saw on the news report looked pretty real to me- particularly the ones that were smaller machines (like you might find in a store in the US, instead of the ones you see at banks). So, I don't know if just glancing at the key pad alone will do it.
The machines I saw on the news report looked pretty real to me- particularly the ones that were smaller machines (like you might find in a store in the US, instead of the ones you see at banks). So, I don't know if just glancing at the key pad alone will do it.
Mar 9th, 2005, 03:47 PM
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This isn't a "London Scam" by any stretch. It has happened in my home town in No. California, and has been reported all over the US.
Always use Bank affiliated ATMs - never independents (like the stand-alones you sometimes see in cafes, casinos, etc.) and don't use one that looks "under repair" or if the key pad looks iffy.
Always use Bank affiliated ATMs - never independents (like the stand-alones you sometimes see in cafes, casinos, etc.) and don't use one that looks "under repair" or if the key pad looks iffy.
Mar 9th, 2005, 04:01 PM
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Hi,
Thanks for the feedback. So, do you think the 'ATM scam' applies to non-bank affiliated atms (not citibank etc.)?
Yes, of course any scam can apply to any city. However, this one was mentioned a few times in London so it therefore qualifies as a scam one can be on the lookout for when one is traveling there.
Thanks for the feedback. So, do you think the 'ATM scam' applies to non-bank affiliated atms (not citibank etc.)?
Yes, of course any scam can apply to any city. However, this one was mentioned a few times in London so it therefore qualifies as a scam one can be on the lookout for when one is traveling there.
Mar 9th, 2005, 06:06 PM
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Typing atm scam in google generates numerous hits including the following.
Here’s one in the UK. Warns you to “run their finger across the slot of "hole in the wall" machines before inserting” to “detect a "thin, clear, rigid, plastic sleeve" that may have been inserted into the slot to make it seem as if the card has been swallowed by the machine”: http://money.guardian.co.uk/creditan...691093,00.html
Same scam described here: http://inside.gc.cuny.edu/security/ATM%20Scam.htm so it’s been in US at least since 2002.
With pictures of a different device used to steal numbers at ATMs: http://www.utexas.edu/admin/utpd/atm.html
Here’s one in the UK. Warns you to “run their finger across the slot of "hole in the wall" machines before inserting” to “detect a "thin, clear, rigid, plastic sleeve" that may have been inserted into the slot to make it seem as if the card has been swallowed by the machine”: http://money.guardian.co.uk/creditan...691093,00.html
Same scam described here: http://inside.gc.cuny.edu/security/ATM%20Scam.htm so it’s been in US at least since 2002.
With pictures of a different device used to steal numbers at ATMs: http://www.utexas.edu/admin/utpd/atm.html
Mar 10th, 2005, 04:58 AM
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Other scams off the top of my head...
ATMs: someone will drop a £5 note on the floor when you're at the ATM, tap you on the shoulder and ask if it's yours. Meanwhile, he, or his friend, has taken advantage of your distraction and grabbed the money coming out of the machine. Someone tried this on me once - gave him the look of death. I'm not that stupid. Don't be distracted by anyone when you're withdrawing money.
TAXIS: there's only one legal kind of taxi you can hail on the street - the very obvious black cabs with a big orange light on the top. However, there has been a proliferation of illegal taxis in recent years that will try and pick you up, particularly in busy areas at night. These are ordinary, unmarked (and generally scruffy) cars. They will either beep the horn at you, or stand outside their car asking if you need a taxi. ALWAYS SAY NO. These are unlicensed, untrained, often unninsured drivers who probably don't know where they are going and may even be dangerous - you often hear reports of lone girls being attacked after accepting a ride. The ONLY kind of private taxi you can get legally and safely has to be pre-ordered, by your hotel, restaurant or whatever. These 'mini-cabs' as they are called (even though they are normal saloon cars) are perfectly safe and legal.
ATMs: someone will drop a £5 note on the floor when you're at the ATM, tap you on the shoulder and ask if it's yours. Meanwhile, he, or his friend, has taken advantage of your distraction and grabbed the money coming out of the machine. Someone tried this on me once - gave him the look of death. I'm not that stupid. Don't be distracted by anyone when you're withdrawing money.
TAXIS: there's only one legal kind of taxi you can hail on the street - the very obvious black cabs with a big orange light on the top. However, there has been a proliferation of illegal taxis in recent years that will try and pick you up, particularly in busy areas at night. These are ordinary, unmarked (and generally scruffy) cars. They will either beep the horn at you, or stand outside their car asking if you need a taxi. ALWAYS SAY NO. These are unlicensed, untrained, often unninsured drivers who probably don't know where they are going and may even be dangerous - you often hear reports of lone girls being attacked after accepting a ride. The ONLY kind of private taxi you can get legally and safely has to be pre-ordered, by your hotel, restaurant or whatever. These 'mini-cabs' as they are called (even though they are normal saloon cars) are perfectly safe and legal.
Mar 10th, 2005, 10:25 AM
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This was not a scam, but it probably should have been.
My wife and I were in London with another couple. My wife and my friend's wife went to take pictures of the Changing of the Guard while my friend and I sat at a distance watching them. As we were watching them, a man went up to them and we could tell they were discussing something. It looked like money changed hands and then he took their pictures.
When they got back to us we asked what that was all about. They said he offered to take their pictures for five pounds each. I asked if they got a receipt.
"No, he took down our address."
Nice. I told them they could kiss 10 pounds goodbye for the experience and he has our address, too. However, they had the last laugh when, two weeks after we got home, two photos arrived in the mail. Amazing.
Not really worth 5 pounds a piece, but it was still something interesting they could remember about the trip.
My wife and I were in London with another couple. My wife and my friend's wife went to take pictures of the Changing of the Guard while my friend and I sat at a distance watching them. As we were watching them, a man went up to them and we could tell they were discussing something. It looked like money changed hands and then he took their pictures.
When they got back to us we asked what that was all about. They said he offered to take their pictures for five pounds each. I asked if they got a receipt.
"No, he took down our address."
Nice. I told them they could kiss 10 pounds goodbye for the experience and he has our address, too. However, they had the last laugh when, two weeks after we got home, two photos arrived in the mail. Amazing.
Not really worth 5 pounds a piece, but it was still something interesting they could remember about the trip.
