A card skimming device was discovered in an ATM in Egham last night. Surrey Police were called to Barclays Bank on Egham High Street after a member of the public discovered the device shortly before 7pm on Monday 19th December.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing a large number of police officers on the High Street who subsequently removed the device. It has been taken away for forensic examination; CCTV footage is also being reviewed for evidence. No arrests have been made at this stage, and police are reminding people to take extra care.

Surrey Police has issued the following advice to members of the public:

• If you notice a suspicious device attached to a cash machine, do not remove it – either report it to the bank or to the police.
• If someone looks suspicious or gets too close while you are using the cash machine, cancel your transaction and go to another machine.
• Do not accept help from strangers and do not let anyone distract you.
• Stand close to the cash machine and do not let anyone see you enter your PIN.
• If the cash machine doesn’t return your card, report it immediately to your card issuer.

This incident follows a similar occurrence in Woking on the same day, after police found a card cloning device at a Morrisons supermarket. The device reportedly reads the card, taking the required details to clone it. A small camera can then be used to record the victim’s PIN. Criminals then use these details to make fraudulent purchases.

Last year, police in Woking discovered a cash machine scam known as the ‘Lebanese Loop’. A device would be inserted into the machine, which would capture any cards used. A scammer stood behind the victim, advising them to try re-entering their PIN when nothing happened. The suspect would then watch and memorise the victim’s PIN, recovering the card after they left.

Anyone with any information regarding either of these incidents should contact Surrey Police quoting reference RM/11/7433 on the non-emergency number 101, or call Crimestoppers confidentially on 0800 555 111.