NEWS DESK
Bank customers lose to keypad trap Stephen Taylor steve@mpnews.com.au A SKIMMING device in an ATM outside a Blairgowrie newsagent may have helped defraud dozens of Bendigo Bank customers last week. Major Fraud Squad police are investigating claims up to 54 customers lost thousands of dollars before the device was discovered in the keypad, Monday 2 May. It is believed the ATM was compromised in the last week in April and the fraudulent transactions discovered later. Detective Senior Constable Pe-
ter Jessup said the scam had taken place but would not elaborate on the scammers’ techniques or the number of customers affected. However, it seems things have moved on from the days when ATM customers only had to cover their hands when keying in pin numbers. In this scam, a doctored keypad records pins which are then used by criminals to make duplicate cards. These can then be used at bank branches anywhere. The shopping centre was busy on the weekend, with customers using the ATM – the only one in the village – to access money from a range of banks. One of the defrauded customers, Judith Mordech, of Blairgowrie, said
she got a call from Bendigo Bank security staff early that day and was told they had put a temporary stop on her card after noticing it had been used at Westpac and ANZ branches at Ringwood, Lilydale and Ripponlea, over the previous three days, to withdraw her $1000 daily maximum three times. On top of that, she was charged $2.50 in other-bank ATM fees for each transaction. She was asked to call in at the bank in Point Nepean Rd, Rye, to fill out a security form and was told the bank would reimburse the amounts stolen – but that it would take up to six weeks. She said staff at the branch told her that outlying ATMs were more liable
in a shopping centre.” Bendigo Bank Rye manager Heather Williams would not comment on the scams, but PR spokeswoman Annie Herbert said fraud monitoring strategies were in place to prevent and detect fraud. “When we detect suspicious activity we notify our customers immediately,” she said. To protect themselves from fraudulent activity, including skimming, customers should be mindful of their surroundings when making a transaction and not proceed with a transaction if they notice any suspicious behaviour or devices at or around an ATM or EFTPOS terminal.
to be affected as they are not checked daily, meaning fraudulent transactions can go unnoticed for longer, and CCTV may not be available. It is believed criminals sell duplicate cards to other criminals in what Mrs Mordech believes “must be a thriving industry”. “We [she and husband Alan] know of a few other people – many of them retired – who were scammed over that weekend,” she said. “There are four cards in our little group and, although none of us were adversely affected, it still makes us feel ill at ease. “The moral of the story is that it’s safer to use an ATM at a bank branch
Business breakfast PENINSULA Business Networking will present its 2016 Budget Briefing, 7-8.30am, Tuesday 17 May, at Mornington Golf Club, Tallis Dr, Mornington. Presenters are Ben Tardrew, of Tardrew Partners, and Wally David, of Financial Planning Matters. The cost is $25 for members and $35 for nonmembers and includes a cooked breakfast and tea/coffee or juice. RSVP on the website. Details: President Melinda Ryan, 0409 101 822, or Steven Lamandé, 0408 594 709.
Burglars active A SPATE of burglaries occurred around Red Hill and Arthurs Seat, 2-6 May. Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Peter Drake, of Mornington Peninsula CIU, said commercial businesses were targeted and cash stolen. A stolen green Toyota Corolla found burnt out near the Devilbend Reservoir on 8 May is believed to have been used in the robberies. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Acting Senior Constable Baden Long, of Mornington Peninsula CIU, 5978 1300 or Crime Stoppers, 1800 333 000.
No time for tea In the frame: Artist Margaret Harris and centre manager Tracey Trueman. Picture: Gary Sissons
It was on all week at this house SORRENTO Community Centre staff and volunteers celebrated Neighbourhood House & National Volunteer Week last week. Manager Tracey Trueman hosted the event with Nepean MP Martin Dixon opening it. Themes this year were: Grow Together for Neighbourhood House, and Give Happy, Be
Happy for National Volunteer week. A free soup and slice lunch was provided, with ItaliCo Restaurant serving up delicious minestrone soup. Visitors toured the facilities, met tutors, volunteers and staff, and mixed with various local businesses which support the centre's events. Displays included artworks, mosaics, quilt and
tepee-making, as well as the unveiling of the Connected Garden Project’s plans for linking the skate park and wetlands to the centre. Sorrento Community Centre was refurbished and re-launched in November last year with shire funding. It has around 470 members, and aims to reach 800 by year’s end.
A MAN ran away from a garage in Mornington after a woman threw a cup of tea at him about 6am, Monday 9 May. The women’s Adelaide St neighbour called 000 on hearing the woman scream. Police are investigating the aggravated burglary in which the woman at first thought the man was her husband. When she approached he got up and grabbed her by the shoulder and demanded her car keys. The woman was traumatised by the incident and taken to hospital short of breath and feeling chest pain. She was kept under observation. The man is described as Caucasian, 170cm, wearing dark pants and a dark coloured hoodie top and may possibly have burns to his upper body.
Thursday 26th May 2016 In the Rye Hotel Bistro
10.00am - 11.30am Special Guest Speaker Rye Primary School Choir will be performing
GREAT RAFFLE PRIZES TO BE WON
•MUSIC •SGAMES •DDRINKS M U AIN
AIL
PPER
$12.50 ENTRY A delicious morning tea is included
ECK
FREE POOL
Book your tickets today
FROM 4PM - 6PM FRIDAY AND SATURDAYS OPEN 2PM TIL LATE
All monies collected will go to Cancer Council Victoria
Bookings essential
Call: 5985 2277
THE RYE HOTEL
2415 Point Nepean Road, Rye Beach www.ryehotel.com.au | 5985 2277 Southern Peninsula News 17 May 2016
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