Petrol Station Scam Hits Thousands
In perhaps one of the largest confirmed cases of fraud in recent times, literally thousands of motorists have reported large scale unauthorised transfers from their bank accounts. Many of the motorists who have suffered are reporting their accounts being wiped out, in what is believed to be a scam masterminded by Sri Lankan fraudsters.
How Did This Happen?
It seems that over 200 petrol stations in the UK have been infiltrated with skimming devices attached to many standard Chip and PIN machines. Thefts have been reported from as far a field as Edinburgh to Bristol, and many places in between.
While initial reports have centred around a variety of BP stations, it appears that all of the majors have been effected. The scam has been highly organised with many staff at petrol stations being paid to incorporate the skimming machines into standard Chip and PIN readers, and forward the details to the gangs involved.
The petrol companies have highlighted the fact that staff have been trained in counter-surveillance methods and been made aware of how and when the skimming machines may be added. However, with many petrol stations run by independent owners there is little they can do except take legal action - although the cases may be very difficult to prove in court.
What Next?
This is yet another blow to the credit card industry and the saviour that was Chip and PIN. Quite where the industry goes from here is anyone’s guess, but a number of petrol independents had already begun to ban certain credit / debit cards which were deemed highly susceptible to fraud.
The net has now widened with no credit / debit card safe from the fraudsters - perhaps we will see a move towards a cash only petrol industry, or at the very least an increase in cash payments?
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