Posted:
(9:55 a.m.)
The HRP/RCMP Integrated Financial Crime Unit is issuing a warning to retailers and citizens who use point-of-sale terminals.
Last week, several retailers in New Brunswick reported that their point-of-sale terminals had been replaced without their knowledge. Typically in these types of incidents, the terminal is replaced with a machine that can copy information from a customer’s credit or debit card. The information is then used to create fraudulent cards.
At this point, no cases have been reported in HRM, however, retailers and citizens should be aware that the people involved in this kind of criminal activity tend to move around the country. Retailers are encouraged to fasten point-of-sale terminals to secure fixtures and report any suspicious activity around terminals to police. Credit/debit card users are reminded to take steps to increase the security of their accounts including changing PIN codes regularly, consistently monitoring accounts and reporting any suspicious activity to financial institutions and police.
More information on fraud prevention is available at www.halifax.ca/Police/FraudAwarenessMonth.html and www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/scams-fraudes/month-mois-eng.htm#mar28.