Tube ticket machine scam: police warn over card skimmers at stations

Police are investigating a scam in which hidden devices on London Underground ticket machines copy passengers’ card details. Victims say thousands of pounds have been taken from their accounts after topping up at stations including Piccadilly Circus and St Paul’s.

How does the Tube ticket machine scam work?

Criminals fit hidden “skimming” devices to ticket and Oyster top-up machines, which copy the details of cards put into them. The stolen details are then used to take money out at cash machines.

Etienne Bouvier, a visitor from Lille, used a top-up machine at Piccadilly Circus on 7 October. It would not accept contactless and rejected his card several times. After he had left London on the Eurostar, two £800 cash withdrawals were made from his account at a cash machine on Cheapside in the City. Reports put his total losses at between £1,500 and £2,000.

Read more: A20 speeding fines: Sadiq Khan denies cover-up over £6.6m fines

Another passenger lost £500 after using a machine at St Paul’s. Their bank refunded the money after they reported it to British Transport Police and TfL. One Reddit user said staff at Piccadilly Circus told them it was the third incident of its kind.

What have the police said?

British Transport Police say thousands of pounds may have been stolen at major Tube stations. Detective Inspector Marvin Bruno said: “We have already arrested people in connection,” adding: “We continue to work closely with Transport for London.” Enquiries are continuing.

TfL says its customers’ safety is its top priority, that it regularly inspects its machines, and that passengers should report anything suspicious to staff.

Sources: Brit Brief, Evening Standard via Yahoo, British Transport Police. Photo: L07ChLeo3 / Wikimedia Commons, public domain.