ATM Theft

This chain letter has been circulating on the internet for some years. Recently a version has been distributed which claims to be from the Halifax Building Society. However, the company's website has no warning on it and it appears the originator of the chain letter is using the Halifax's name to add credibility to the message.

Sophos would like to thank Martin Overton for information he supplied regarding this chain letter.

More information can be found at http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/scams/atmtheft.htm.

The text of the chain letter reads as follows:

The latest ATM scam involves thieves putting a thin, clear, rigid plastic 'sleeve' into the ATM card slot. When you insert your card, the machine can't read the strip, so it keeps asking you to re-enter your PIN number.

Meanwhile, someone behind you watches as you tap in your number. Eventually you give up, thinking the machine has swallowed your card and you walk away. The thieves then remove the plastic sleeve complete with card, and empty your account. The way to avoid this is to run your finger along the card slot before you put your card in. The sleeve has a couple of tiny prongs that the thieves need to get the sleeve out of the slot, and you'll be able to feel them. The police would like as many people as possible to be aware of this scam, so pass this on to your friends.

If you receive this or a similar message, please do not forward it to your friends and colleagues. Forwarding unsolicited chain letters wastes time and bandwidth.