Beware new trap as you take out money in Derby city centre
CRIMINALS are fitting cash machines in Derby city centre with devices that trap bank notes as customers try to withdraw their money.
The "cash traps", as they are called, have already claimed several victims this year.
The devices slot over the part of the ATM where the notes come out and, rather than dispense them, roll them inside the machine.
After customers walk away, thinking there is a fault with the machine, thieves who have been waiting nearby remove the device and pocket the cash.
Sergeant Nick Allgood, who is in charge of policing in Derby city centre, said: "This is a new type of scam that has come to Derby and one that we have not seen before. We have dealt with instances before where people have used skimming machines to record someone's card and pin number but this is the first time we have come across the cash traps.
"The device slots over the area of the ATM where the notes are dispensed.
"But instead of them being spat out to the customer, the machine is able to roll the notes down inside the cash trap.
"To a normal person they probably think there is a problem with the machine and they will report it to the bank the following day.
"But what has been happening is that the thieves wait for that customer to walk away, approach the ATM and remove the trap and the notes."
Sgt Allgood believes a number of cash machines in the city centre are being targeted by whoever is setting the traps.
He said they also fitted the devices, which are similar to a piece of car trim, at night – after the banks had closed.
Sgt Allgood said: "By doing this, anyone who thinks their money hasn't been dispensed isn't able to go into the branch straight away to tell them there is a problem with the ATM.
"We have had reports of six incidents of money going missing from a suspected cash trap so far this year.
"Whoever is doing it, whether it is an individual or a gang, they are very well organised as the devices are quite sophisticated."
Sgt Allgood urged people to be vigilant when using ATMs in the city centre.
He said: "If you are uncomfortable with the way an ATM looks or feels, our advice is not to use it."
Anyone who believes they may have been a victim of a cash trap scam is asked to call Sgt Allgood on 101.
8 Comments
by UsedUserName
Friday, February 10 2012, 10:58AM
“It comes to something when someone is sad enough to use multiple accounts to rate down inoffensive comments like mine and Sarah's.. just when you thought all the depths had been plumbed, someone sinks to new ones!
What an empty existence :(”
by superrocky1
Thursday, February 09 2012, 7:25PM
“toe rags , had my card skimmed few weeks ago , no three other people at same building society who was done ! one for £1250. not nice ,need a good hiding!”
by DerbyBorn
Thursday, February 09 2012, 4:32PM
“So annoying that the machines that are an essential convenience for everyone are being ruined by a few. It is not a victimless crime - we will all end up paying for cash machine use if they start to make big losses. I also resent such scum getting money without working for it.
I once pulled up at a machine and saw a dodgy looking character nearby with two phones to his ears. I often wonder what he was doing. I drove away.”
by UsedUserName
Thursday, February 09 2012, 4:07PM
“"Rottweiller_" now, hey?!!
It comes to something when you've had so many accounts you have to resort to words you can't even spell for a moniker.”
by SarahL123
Thursday, February 09 2012, 2:58PM
“@ WelshInvader
Equally statistically it could prove that English gangs are better at getting away with it. Statistics can prove any point you wish to make!”
by TMK10
Thursday, February 09 2012, 12:40PM
“@'korkie'. The devices are quite simply just metal threshold bars that you fit between doorways to hold carpet down so don't cost much at all. The colour of them is almost identical to the metal of the machine so not easy to spot @'Derby-Stu', especially in a dimly lit area.
My girlfriend nearly got caught out by one last year at Chellaston P.O., but when the cash didn't come out she fiddled with the part where it should have done, noticed the device, pulled it off and there was her cash stuck to the bar with double sided tape.
She then noticed some dodgy guy on his mobile nearby (who I suppose waiting for her to go away) so she removed the device and drove off. Had it been an elderly or less vigilant person then they wouldn't have noticed.
Of course we took it into the P.O the next day who then had a different machine installed preventing this device from being fitted. It's a very crude but very clever idea too (Not that I condone it!)”
by Derby_Stu
Thursday, February 09 2012, 12:27PM
“This was also on Police Interceptors on Monday and they tracked a gang of Romanians who were going round Derbyshire doing this exact thing!
No offence but if you cannot spot a piece of "car trim" stuck over the cash shoot then what can I say.”
by korkie
Thursday, February 09 2012, 11:51AM
“Why not steal the devices they are fitting - if you can detect it, soon put them out of business. !”
by JulieFulep
Thursday, February 09 2012, 10:01AM
“I suggest that if your money doesn't come out of the machine. Go and hide somewhere so you can watch the thieves take your cash, phone a few mates then follow them and give them a good hiding. Justice!
(Tom)”