TUBE STATION credit card machines are under increasing attack from scammers, police have warned.


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The Metropolitan Police’s Dedicated Cheque and Plastic Crime Unit says that over the last six weeks, there has been a sharp rise in the use of sophisticated equipment, known as a ‘skimmer’, which allows criminals to read PIN numbers.

“We urge tube users to stay on their guard to help prevent themselves being scammed,” said Detective Chief Inspector Paul Barnard, head of the DCPCU.

“Officers from our specialist unit are working very closely with Transport for London and British Transport Police to ensure that these fraudsters will not benefit from their criminal activity,” said Detective Chief Inspector Paul Barnard, head of the DCPCU.

The fact that the ticket machines, and often the stations, targeted by the skimmer scammers are unmanned lends weight to union fears that having fewer staff on stations will lead to a rise in crime on the Underground.

“The de-staffing of tube stations gives a green light to the criminal gangs and scammers as our members in the ticket halls know how to spot these rackets,” said RMT leader Bob Crow.

“We warned that the tube job cuts would turn the underground into a criminals paradise and it’s about time Boris Johnson took note and reversed his attack on staffing numbers.”

Last week, Crow highlighted the rise in theft from track areas of the Underground, with copper cables a particular favourite of the criminals.

“On London Underground, the reduction in track inspection frequencies comes at high risk: huge costs to the taxpayers and massive disruption to services as the crime gangs seize their opportunity.”