Two charged with card skimming

TWO men have been arrested and charged in connection with an alleged card "skimming" operation uncovered in the Capital.

A search of a property in Broughton Road recovered equipment allegedly used for skimming and cloning bank cards, as well as laptop computers, and 4500 in cash.

Both men, aged 31 and 22, appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday, and were remanded in custody.

A card skimming device was recovered from a Royal Bank of Scotland ATM outside the Morrisons supermarket in Granton on 17 February, while a similar device was found at a branch of Santander in Morningside Road on 29 January.

A police spokesman said: "We would urge all members of the public to be extra vigilant when using their cards at bank atms, and in particular when they are inputting their PIN number into machines.

"It may not be immediately apparent to atm customers that there is anything suspicious about the machine, so we would urge people to be alert, and check for any signs that the machine has been tampered with.

"If there is anything suspicious about the machine, then customers should either alert the branch immediately, or contact police.

"Customers can also take extra measures to protect themselves against fraud, such as covering the keypad with their hand when they enter their PIN, and checking their bank accounts regularly to keep track of their funds."