Public warned of rise in credit and debit card scams

Shoppers and commuters have been warned to take extra care when using credit and debit cards during the pre-Christmas period after criminals began targeting ticket vending machines at railway stations.

The Irish Payment Services Organisation yesterday reported that it had become aware that some vending machines along the Dart line in Dublin have been affected by the latest card scam.

At least three locations have been identified where criminals have attempted to skim card details in the past week including train stations in Booterstown and Dun Laoghaire.

IPSO believes that up to 100 credit and debit cards may have been compromised by the scamming operation.

However, it is continuing to monitor the affected accounts for potential fraud.

All cases are being investigated by officers from the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation.

IPSO said high-quality CCTV footage obtained by gardaí from the stations suggests that a single gang is behind the latest scam.

Skimming involves the capture of credit and debit card details and the user’s PIN by unsuspecting cardholders using the machines.

IPSO said criminals have begun using a new type of skimming equipment at unattended payment machines following the success by banks in improving security at ATMs against skimming attacks.

It predicted criminals were likely to escalate such activity in the run-up to Christmas. It is advising cardholders using public vending machines to simply cover the PIN pad when keying in their PIN.

Cardholders who fear their details may have been compromised are urged to watch their account.

According to estimates, criminals scammed as much as €25.7m from card holders in 2011 — up 24% on the previous year.