ACT Policing is investigating multiple reports of suspected fraud by offenders using sophisticated “skimming” devices attached to Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) within the ACT.

Police believe offenders are attaching a device to the fascia of an ATM, which is then used to scan the data from the card’s magnetic strip.  The PIN entered into the machine is then captured using a small camera linked to the device.

This is similar “skimming” technology to that which has been reported in other jurisdictions. ACT Policing’s Fraud Team will be liaising with detectives from other jurisdictions as part of its ongoing investigations.

More than a dozen examples of these unauthorised withdrawals from ATMs have been reported to police during November.

Police are warning customers to take precautions when using ATMs. They urge customers look for any irregular, unusual or suspicious devices attached to an ATM, and to use one hand to cover the other as the PIN number is entered into the keypad.