Police issue warning to retail business owners

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The Integrated Financial Crime Unit of the Criminal Investigation Division is issuing a warning to retail business owners about a potential fraud targeting debit machines. 

At 12:30 p.m. on July 18, Halifax Regional Police responded to suspicious circumstances at a business in the 2400 block of Agricola Street. Officers learned that two well-dressed men entered the business, claimed to be representing a debit machine service provider and asked questions about the store’s machines. The manager became suspicious and asked the men to leave. She subsequently reported the matter to police. 

Through the investigation, officers determined that the men had visited three other businesses in the area, claiming to be from different financial institutions. They were turned away from each business. While the investigation is on-going, investigators suspect the men were looking for an opportunity to install devices on the debit machines that would allow them to intercept customer information. The suspects are described as being of Greek or Middle Eastern descent and between 30 to 40 years of age. At the time of the incident, one of the men was wearing a gray suit while the other was wearing a darker suit. 

Investigators encourage business owners to be wary of these suspicious circumstances to report these incidents to the Integrated Financial Crime Unit at 490-1985 or online at https://www.halifax.ca/fire-police/police/reporting-crime

Additionally, police remind business owners to verify the identity of unfamiliar sales people as well the legitimacy of the organization they claim to represent.