Be careful when using ATM machines folks!

[Accy cyclist]

Today I put my bank card in the slot, then as I was about to key in my 4 digit number a person appeared from nowhere acting very aggressively, telling me not to use that ATM as it was 'swallowing cards'. I'm not 100 percent sure what happened next, but I think he pressed cancel, grabbing my card and slipping it in his 'man bag' in an instant! I pressed return card, but nothing came out with this person saying "I told you man, it ain't working! Then he ran off! I asked a passing bloke to phone Lloyds bank for me as I was a bit shook up and I have problems talking on telephones. As he was phoning my bank a police car came round the corner, with this bloke waving it over. They pulled up asking what was wrong. On being told one PC phoned my bank, telling them she was a police officer with Lancashire Constabulary who was speaking on my behalf, while the other said he'd have a look round for the suspect, after I'd given him a description of the thief. He came back 10 minutes later saying he'd looked in the Broadway pub (Accrington) but couldn't see anyone fitting the description I'd given him. He'll have looked in that particular pub as it's the main one for thieves selling stolen items etc. Anyway, the bank told the PC on the phone to them that my card had been cancelled and surprisingly it hadn't been used in the 15 minutes from it being stolen, to them looking on their computer to see if anything had been bought on my card, with them adding that if it had been used the bank would cover the loss as I reported it asap and I'd reported it to the police. I did have a little doubt that maybe the ATM had swallowed my card and this bloke hadn't stolen it, but both PC's said it was highly likely my card had been stolen saying 'why would this bloke act so aggressively if he was innocent' adding I did the right thing in calling them over as If I'd have waited til later to report it the thief would probably have gone on a spending spree with my card, making things a little more difficult. I asked them if my card was in the ATM would I be in trouble for wasting their time, with both saying no as it would be classed as a genuine concern, whether I'd made a mistake or not. The police said they'd look through the bank's cctv tomorrow when the bank opens, to see if the thief could be identified, but that would be difficult as he had a bucket hat on covering most of his head, but you never know, maybe he'll be known to the police, with them spotting him in other ways.

 

[Vapin' Joe]

A frightening experience Accy, glad it turned out ok for you.

I avoid using ATMs and instead find a post office where I can dram cash out (Or a bank, but there are hardly any in this part of the with most having closed).

 

[Accy cyclist]

A frightening experience Accy, glad it turned out ok for you.

I avoid using ATMs and instead find a post office where I can dram cash out (Or a bank, but there are hardly any in this part of the with most having closed).

It could've been worse Joe as I had a fair bit of bling on me! He wasn't violent as such, more agitated. One copper said I did right to not challenge him as he might've been carrying a knife. No way would I have challenged him, though I did say 'Have you got my card' to him with him replying "Ive told you man, the machine's swallowed it ffs"!

 

[oxoman]

My OH had her card cloned a few yrs ago over the Easter bank holiday along with some of her colleagues, luckily she always shielded her hand when entering the pin. It only got used once about 40 miles away for petrol, they actually caught them because of the garage cctv. Her colleagues weren't as lucky they hadn't shielded the pin and all lost cash. All be it temporarily till the bank reimbursed them. So easy to get caught out. Our resident temu king at work has had his details cloned by temu supplier and luckily the bank spotted he couldn't be in China and uk at same time so stopped the transaction. He's currently awaiting a new card. Very lucky bloke, just wish he'd stop whinging about the inconvenience.

 

[ColinJ]

I'm glad that you are okay, Accy - scary stuff!

A colleague once had just entered his PIN at an ATM when a mugger sneaked up behind him, hit him over the head with something, then withdrew a large sum of money from the machine before running off!

A few week's after my colleague's experience I was using an ATM in Hebden Bridge when 2 young guys walked up behind me. I was extremely concerned about their proximity to me and asked them to step back. I am 6' 1" tall and generally not too worried about being attacked but both of them were my size and they were about 25 years younger than me so I didn't fancy my chances if things got rough! I was half-watching them but had to look at the keypad to enter my PIN. At that moment they started larking about and one shoved the other into me. I pushed him back hard and screamed "GET THE F**K AWAY FROM ME - NOW!!!!!" They looked extremely startled and did as instructed, so I think that they didn't really mean any harm, but I immediately cancelled my transaction, took my card, and walked quickly away just-in-case!

 

[FrankCrank]

Stay safe Accy - think we can all learn from this.

 

[Accy cyclist]

The other week when using another ATM that has another next to it I wondered why this bloke was waiting behind me to use the one I was using, when the other one was working as sometimes one or the other isn't working. I looked to see it was ok to use then politely said 'Oh, that one's working I see. I'll be a couple of minutes here as I want to check various things'. He replied that he wasn't rushing and didn't mind waiting. I felt nervy about this as obviously I thought he was up to something. As soon as I finished thoroughly checking I hadn't left my card hanging out the machine, I walked away looking over my shoulder. I don't know what he was up to but I had a horrible thought that he'd put one of those things on the ATM that copy other users bank details and pin number. On checking my mini statement the following day nothing had been taken out my account against my consent, so what was he up to I wonder?! 🤔

 

[Accy cyclist]

I'm glad that you are okay, Accy - scary stuff

Stay safe Accy - think we can all learn from this.

Thanks! I've been thinking about it on and off since it happened. I'd now say he definitely stole my card by pressing return card then grabbing my card on it popping out less than a second later and slipping it in his man bag super fast, all while gibbering incoherently to distract me. Why didn't he wait till I'd drawn some money out though and nicked that as well, instead of just stealing my card? Also, why didn't he use my card asap, knowing he had a short time to do so before it was blocked by my bank? Unless he was hot footing it to the Tesco store about 7 minutes away if you run very fast and he got there, filling a trolley full of booze to sell on the black market but didn't get through the checkout fast enough to beat the bank's card blocking action. I suppose such petty criminals will say it's a victimless crime as even if they empty your bank account the bank will reimburse you.