I.T. Vibe - US ATM Crooks Target the UK

After successfully cloning US Credit and Debit cards (from taking credit card details from compromised ATM machines), criminals are trying to use them at self-service checkout systems in UK supermarkets. It is claimed that about 2,300 false cards exist.

Asda and Tesco are already aware of the scam which involves asking for “cash back” rather than buying groceries or by buying high value goods. People in Britain have been involved in the production of the counterfeit cards and it is suspected that a number of Brits are being recruited to take place in the scam.

UK cards could not be cloned in this way as they support Chip and Pin facilities rather than having just the magnetic strip. It is thought that the introduction of this facility in the US would prevent such widespread fraud taking place (as information would not just be stored on the strip).

Supermarkets think that potential crooks will be captured on CCTV but self service checkouts are being targeted as there is a reduced risk of false cards being spotted by staff. The cards have been made cheaply though and contain no branding from banks.

Comment # 1 on 01 September 2008 at 18:48 by Anonymous

Crooks can also use cloned cards at Pay@The Pump for expensive fuel, without the need for a PIN or Signature. Cloned US Cards can be used with valid PINs in UK ATMs, just the same as cloned UK cards with valid PINs can be used in U.S ATM.s. It works both ways.

Comment # 2 on 03 September 2008 at 22:40 by Anonymous

Why don't the merchants use the uv-security on the creditcards. Almost all of the cards are fake and don't have this securitystandard. Cloned cards are mostly printed in high numbers and the bad guys press the 14-16 digits in to the cards when the know the cloned binnumber. That's why they often forget/don't care to put the printed 4 digits below the 4 first pressed digits these are supposed to be the same. t.