Ring of thieves skimmed $5.5M from Albertans, say police

Agroup of thieves has hauled in $5.5 million from consumers in Alberta by skimming debit and creditcard information, say police.

Since April, thealleged ring has been installing skimming equipment in Interac machines in retail businesses and banking vestibules in Calgary, Edmonton and Red Deer, stealing about 6,000 debit and credit card numbers, Calgary police said Thursday.

Equipment was installed in the machines, including skimming gear over the card reader and a mini-camera under the hooded part of the number pad to steal PINs.

Theytargeted movie theatres, fast-food outlets and sporting goods and clothing stores.

Calgary police released photos of two men Thursday, hoping the public will help identify them because they "may have information on the ATM scams."

Acting Det. Darren Hafner of the Calgary police commercial crime unit said two men alleged to be involved in the scam have been arrested in Moose Jaw, Sask.,but investigators are looking for others.

In Calgary alone, police allege the men, attached to an organized group in Quebec, stole the debit card numbers and PINs of more than 2,500 people at a cost of $2.5 million. Banks are covering most of the losses, Hafner said.

The detective recommended consumers change their PIN every three weeks — which is how long it takes criminals to use the information — and to be more vigilant.

"I don't see anybody cover their PIN number, very rarely do I see that, and changing their PIN numbers," said Hafner.

"PIN numbers can be changed at any ATM, at any of the branches. It's a very easy process. I do it all the time and it takes 30 seconds."