It appears that card skimming has come to ticket vending machines.
Boo.


Guardian report - "Fraudsters target London Underground customers"
http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2007...nalfinancenews
---quote---
Commuters were today warned to be alert after it emerged fraudsters
are targeting London Underground ticket machines to clone credit and
debit cards.

British Transport Police (BTP) said its Credit Card Fraud
Investigation Unit had recovered 27 skimming devices this year that
had been used 58 times on London Underground ticket machines.

The devices clone the details of credit or debit cards so that
counterfeit ones can be made, while a camera records the card's pin as
the holder types it in.

BTP said two people were currently in custody after being caught using
a skimming device at a station on the Piccadilly line, and in a raid
last month police discovered a "factory" in which skimming devices
were being made.

Fraudsters have previously used skimming devices on ATMs and at petrol
stations, but following a successful crackdown by the police it is
thought they have now moved on to ticket machines.

The devices have so far only been discovered on machines on the
underground, but it is believed they could also be used on machines
such as those at mainline railway stations.

Superintendent Paul Shrubsole said: "Our specialist credit card fraud
investigation team is working very closely with London Underground
staff to remove these devices from use, and identify the offenders who
are benefiting from them."

He added that the devices were very difficult for consumers to spot as
they fit squarely on top of the ticket machine keypad.

"We're working with the machine manufacturers and London Underground
on design features that can prevent the attachment of skimming
devices," he said.
[continues...]
---/quote---


Also ThisIsMoney - "Fraudsters clone cards on tube machines"
http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/credit-...icle_id=426316
---quote
Tube commuters are having their bank cards cloned in a massive new
wave of attacks by identity thieves.

Fraudsters are targeting Oyster card and ticket machines in London
Underground stations after a police crackdown on similar attacks at
cashpoints.

Gangs of thieves have fitted more than 50 so-called 'skimming' devices
which copy the user's card details and pin number as they buy Tube
tickets or top up their Oyster cards.

They are understood to have switched to Underground ticket machines
after successful campaigns to highlight the problem of skimming
machines at cashpoints.

So far, 58, machines across the network have been targeted and 27
skimming devices have been discovered - with the Piccadilly and
District lines particularly affected.

Latest figures show card cloning has leapt in the first half of this
year, costing banks millions of pounds in stolen money.

British Transport Police have now sent a series of emails to London
Underground staff warning them to be alert to any suspicious
behaviour, while Transport for London has also launched an
investigation.

A recent email sent to London Underground staff from a duty station
manager at Gloucester Road said: 'Please be aware of the need to
remain vigilant around your POMs (Passenger Operated Machines). The
two-part device fits exactly over the existing one, with the camera
stuck above with a small hole in the plate (the mobile phone part).'

The email goes on to warn staff not to try tackling possible
fraudsters on their own.

It said: 'The BTP have asked you to call them if you notice anything
suspicious. DO NOT approach any individuals standing in the location.'

One staff member who has been warned about the threat of fraud to
customers said the stations had been visited by BTP officers who had
said that every station on the western District line had been
attacked.

He also said the problem was affecting larger multi-fare machines,
which take notes and bank cards, as well as 'queue buster' machines
which accept cards only.

He said: 'It's not a problem that London Underground want to advertise
as they're trying to get rid of ticket offices, but they seem to be
the only place to top up your Oyster card or buy a season ticket
safely.'

Two people have been arrested after they were caught using a skimming
device on the Piccadilly line.
---/quote---