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Santander cash machine ALERT: Police warn public NOT to use cashpoints over security risk
Forces in both Lancashire and Cheshire have issued alerts over the use of Santander cashpoints as customers' details may be at risk.
The warning follows reports of suspicious devices on the bank's ATMs across the county last week.
Officers are concerned criminals have targeted the machines in a bid to steal card details and cash, and urged those who have lost money to contact Santander.
Lancashire Police tweeted: "Security at Santander ATMs in Lancs has been compromised. Advice is not to use them. If you have lost money please contact the bank and 101."
Cheshire Police have also issued a warning to avoid Santander machines in Wilmslow, near Manchester.
The force tweeted: "Cheshire Police have received reports of issues with Santander ATM's in Wilmslow. Please do not use the machines and call your bank and 101."
A spokesman for Lancashire force said it is feared the issue could be more widespread.
He said: "We are advising the public to be vigilant, in particular of Santander machines, but of any cash machines.
"Report anything suspicious, have a visual check of the cashpoint and if in doubt leave it an go somewhere else."
"It's spread across the whole of Lancashire so it's highly likely other forces may have had reports. We do not know how many are affected."
Officers urged those who have lost money to contact Santander.
But the bank said only five ATMs had been tampered with and these were shut down on police request. None of its customers had reported being defrauded, a spokeswoman said.
The spokeswoman added: "Santander was contacted this weekend by police who requested that five ATM machines in the North West and Lancashire area be shut down due to potential criminal activity and vandalism.
"The five ATMs in question were shut down immediately. The Santander ATM network remains fully operational and we are assisting the police with their enquiries in relation to the five ATMs in the Lancashire area.
"Customers are always advised to remain vigilant and if concerned about any other ATM machines, they should contact the police immediately and not use them."
The force also issued advice to bank customers, including not to use a cash machine if it appears to have been tampered with and shielding the keypad when entering the PIN number.
Criminals have been known to improve the ways they are targeting British cash points in recent months.
The 'Lebanese Loop' has been used to 'hack' into machines by implanting a device into the ATM that can swallow cards. An oppotunist thief watches from nearby as the user types in their pin and memorises the digits.
Later when the customer has left, the would-be thief returns to collect the swallowed card and pockets YOUR cash.
HOW TO KEEP YOUR DETAILS SAFE
• Don’t use a cash machine if it looks like it has been modified or tampered with.
• Never let anybody see your PIN and shield the keypad when entering the number.
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/657...sed-cashpoints
Forces in both Lancashire and Cheshire have issued alerts over the use of Santander cashpoints as customers' details may be at risk.
The warning follows reports of suspicious devices on the bank's ATMs across the county last week.
Officers are concerned criminals have targeted the machines in a bid to steal card details and cash, and urged those who have lost money to contact Santander.
Lancashire Police tweeted: "Security at Santander ATMs in Lancs has been compromised. Advice is not to use them. If you have lost money please contact the bank and 101."
Cheshire Police have also issued a warning to avoid Santander machines in Wilmslow, near Manchester.
The force tweeted: "Cheshire Police have received reports of issues with Santander ATM's in Wilmslow. Please do not use the machines and call your bank and 101."
A spokesman for Lancashire force said it is feared the issue could be more widespread.
He said: "We are advising the public to be vigilant, in particular of Santander machines, but of any cash machines.
"Report anything suspicious, have a visual check of the cashpoint and if in doubt leave it an go somewhere else."
"It's spread across the whole of Lancashire so it's highly likely other forces may have had reports. We do not know how many are affected."
Officers urged those who have lost money to contact Santander.
But the bank said only five ATMs had been tampered with and these were shut down on police request. None of its customers had reported being defrauded, a spokeswoman said.
The spokeswoman added: "Santander was contacted this weekend by police who requested that five ATM machines in the North West and Lancashire area be shut down due to potential criminal activity and vandalism.
"The five ATMs in question were shut down immediately. The Santander ATM network remains fully operational and we are assisting the police with their enquiries in relation to the five ATMs in the Lancashire area.
"Customers are always advised to remain vigilant and if concerned about any other ATM machines, they should contact the police immediately and not use them."
The force also issued advice to bank customers, including not to use a cash machine if it appears to have been tampered with and shielding the keypad when entering the PIN number.
Criminals have been known to improve the ways they are targeting British cash points in recent months.
The 'Lebanese Loop' has been used to 'hack' into machines by implanting a device into the ATM that can swallow cards. An oppotunist thief watches from nearby as the user types in their pin and memorises the digits.
Later when the customer has left, the would-be thief returns to collect the swallowed card and pockets YOUR cash.
HOW TO KEEP YOUR DETAILS SAFE
• Don’t use a cash machine if it looks like it has been modified or tampered with.
• Never let anybody see your PIN and shield the keypad when entering the number.
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/657...sed-cashpoints
