Warning over 'audacious' new card reader scam

Scammers are sending card readers through the post in an attempt to gain the trust of vulnerable victims, an investigation has found.

In a trend not seen before, fraudsters have been sending card readers to prospective victims – some of whom they have already gained the bank details of beforehand - in order to get key details like their PIN or other account information.

Scammers would then follow up with a telephone call in an attempt to persuade the target to use the fake card reader.

After gathering this information from the member of the public, the fraudsters would be able to access their bank accounts to transfer or withdraw money.

The card readers, usually used by customers to access their online banking by putting their card in the top and entering their PIN, are not branded to a particular bank and have left social media users feeling “spooked”, BBC One daytime’s Rip-Off Britain has discovered.

Mark Wardlow from cyber-security firm SureCloud examined the fake card reader sent to 72-year-old Rip-Off Britain viewer Maureen.

As this is an emerging scam, Mr Wardlow said: “In this case the pure act of sending the card reader was to subsequently use that to follow up with a telephone call, which would then convince Maureen to give over information which would allow them ultimately to take money out of a bank account.”

Julia Somerville, one of the presenters of Rip-Off Britain, said: “Every so often a fraudster will try something so audacious it still takes our breath away.”

She also called on viewers to come forward with their experiences.

The story will feature on Rip-Off Britain today at 9:15am.