Thames Valley Police report that an email, purporting to be from the force, is circulating in Oxfordshire warning local people not to use certain cash point machines because they are unsafe.
It states the police are advising the public not use the ATM at Tesco in Cowley Retail Park because there is a cloning device attached to it and customers have been the victims of card fraud.
There is no truth to this email: it does not come from Thames Valley Police and there have been no incidents of this sort at the store for some six months. It also claims Tesco’s Didcot and Abingdon branches are being targeted, but there is no evidence for this either, police add.
Sgt Peter Hickman, who is in charge of fraud investigations in Oxford said: “We have been contacted by a number of concerned residents who have received this email and whatever its source it is totally irresponsible to send this to people.
“It is causing a lot of worry across Oxfordshire and also has the potential to damage the reputation of both Tesco and Thames Valley Police because it seems as though we are impotently standing by while customers become victims of card fraud.
“While we want to reassure the public that these claims are untrue, we would like to take this opportunity to remind people that they do need to take steps against becoming a victim of card cloning.
“When typing in your PIN number, cover your hand so any hidden cameras cannot record it. And if any part of cash point looks suspicious, do not use it and contact the store or bank as well as the police. If you discover a cloning device, do not remove it and contact the police immediately.”
