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ATM skim warning issued

With the busy Christmas shopping season in full swing, the Surrey RCMP’s District 4 office (Cloverdale/Port Kells) reminds local businesses to keep vigilant against skimming devices.

Businesses should be performing daily visual checks of any ATMs and pin pads at their establishments as part of their morning routine in order to detect any unauthorized equipment or tampering.

The warning comes because these skimming devices continue to be found throughout the Lower Mainland.

At one bank branch in Coquitlam, fraudsters had installed a skimming device in the card entry slot of an ATM machine and had placed a camera over the top of the keypad.

A checklist of what to look for is available by calling Carrie Chattell, Crime Prevention Programs Coordinator, at 604-502-6266.

District 4’s November Business Link newsletter warned businesses they’re potentially vulnerable to disruptions in telephone service lasting for days due to copper wire theft from telephone poles on city streets.

Brazen thieves disguised as legitimate repair crews will “work” during the middle of the day, the warning says. Anyone noticing someone working on telephone poles outside their business should take a closer look to ensure workers are legitimate.