[privacy] Garage hit by credit card scam

[Gordon Darling <gordondarling () dsl pipex com>]

This one is a bit too close to home. I've used the garage concerned.
It's less than half a mile from me!

http://www.eastbournetoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=566&ArticleID=1857296

<snip>
A HAILSHAM garage has been investigated by police working on a major
card fraud epidemic that has hit more than 500 people.
The BP service station in South Road has been visited by officers from
Sussex Police's Cheque and Payment Card Unit following reports by
customers that money had been siphoned from their accounts because of
fraudulent transactions.
The BP filling station at Willingdon, and another at Sidley, have also
been the focus of police attention. 
Detective Sergeant Dick Bollard, who is investigating the case, said,
''The BP garage in Hailsham has been investigated but is not being
linked to the incidents in Eastbourne and Sidley."
There is no suggestion that the owners of the filling stations have been
involved in dishonesty.
Sussex Police say that customers of the Hailsham garage are now as
''safe there as anywhere else'' using their credit and debit cards.
Details released by the force show that more than 500 people in East
Sussex have recorded incidents of false transactions on their accounts.
Of the Hailsham incidents DS Bollard said, ''There appear to be a number
of occurrences where people's accounts have been tampered with but this
is not on the scale of those elsewhere.
''The investigation is ongoing and we are monitoring the situation.
''I would urge members of the public to be extra vigilant when paying
for goods and services by credit and debit cards, even when using chip
and pin.
''Businesses which have been involved have been checked and are now as
safe as anywhere to do business with.''
Officers say that the card details are likely to have been taken more
than a month ago and since then equipment used has been removed.
These details have then been passed to crime gangs in other
countries to exploit.
In one case reported to the Gazette, an account holder from Eastbourne
had more than £5,800 taken.
Wealden crime prevention officer David Smith said, ''Theft of this kind
causes both distress and inconvenience to innocent members of the public
going about their daily business.
''Victims often do not realise that money has been taken from their
accounts until they receive a bank statement through the post.
''I would urge anyone to contact their bank and the police immediately
if they believe there has been fraudulent usage on their account.''
Anyone who believes their account has been tampered with should contact
Sussex Police on 0845 60 70 999 after consulting with their bank
<snip>

-- 
gordondarling<at>dsl<dot>pipex<dot>com

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