Charlotte Newton USERS of cash machines are being warned to check dispensers before they withdraw money, after 11 cases of suspected fraud in recent weeks. In the most recent incident on Tuesday night, Highgate resident Ralph Crisp lost a significant quan

Charlotte Newton

USERS of cash machines are being warned to check dispensers before they withdraw money, after 11 cases of suspected fraud in recent weeks.

In the most recent incident on Tuesday night, Highgate resident Ralph Crisp lost a significant quantity of cash. He inserted his bank card into the Barclays ATM machine in Crouch End Broadway.

Mr Crisp said had been rushing to get to a gig at the King's Head and did not examine the ATM before he put his card in.

The machine swallowed it up and it is believed that fraudsters attached a copying device and then removed his card. They used it half an hour later at the NatWest cash machine opposite; and then again on Wednesday morning at the Halifax cash machine in Broadway Parade, Tottenham Lane.

Mr Crisp, who is the chairman of Haringey's Neighbourhood Watch Association, said: "I didn't cancel my card immediately because I thought the machine had swallowed it up and I would get it back the next morning. I was stunned to find out that someone had copied my card and taken out the maximum amount.

"Unbeknown to me, some fraudsters had inserted a device into this machine - together with a miniature camera. The device and camera captured my card and pin number. Overnight they systematically cleared out my account."

He added: "Apparently there have been a series of similar incidents at the same cash machine. I'm incensed that the police and Barclays Bank have not warned people about this."

A spokeswoman for Haringey Police confirmed that there have been 11 similar incidents in the borough since January.

Five of these - between January 9 and February 24 - were at the Barclays ATM in Crouch End Broadway. On January 21, a Muswell Hill resident was defrauded of a significant amount of cash from the Nationwide ATM in the Broadway. The other six incidents were at cash machines in the east of the borough.

A spokeswoman for Barclays said: "Unfortunately fraud is a problem for the whole banking industry and we have recently seen a slightly different type of attack on a small number of our ATMs. We are working hard to look at how we can combat these attacks whilst ensuring that we maintain a maximum ATM service.

"We advise customers to always be vigilant when using their bank cards, for example be wary of anybody who is nearby or approaches when you are using the ATM and be alert for signs that the ATM may have been tampered with. If your card is withheld or you notice any suspicious behaviour please notify Barclays immediately - we have a policy which ensures customers who are the innocent victim of fraud are refunded any losses.