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EC Card Skimming Incidents Across Multiple German Cities: A Call for Vigilance
Criminal activities via EC card skimming have been reported in numerous cities across Germany, involving illegal devices attached to card readers or ATMs to capture card data and PINs, enabling unauthorized transactions.
To prevent EC card skimming, users should take the following precautions:
- Always check for suspicious devices or loose parts on ATMs or payment terminals before inserting the card.
- Shield the PIN keypad with your hand while entering your PIN to prevent hidden cameras or onlookers from capturing it.
- Prefer using ATMs located inside bank branches or well-monitored areas rather than standalone or isolated machines.
- Regularly monitor your bank statements and transaction alerts for any unauthorized activity.
- Use cards with chip-and-PIN technology, as Germany’s Girocards rely on secure chip technology reducing skimming risks.
- Enable transaction notifications via banking apps or SMS to detect fraud early.
If you suspect EC card skimming or fraudulent activity, you should immediately:
- Contact your bank or card issuer to block the card and report the suspicious transactions.
- Report the incident to the local police. In Germany, card fraud is a criminal offense, and local police stations take reports against skimming activities seriously.
- Additionally, you can report to the Polizeiliche Kriminalprävention der Länder und des Bundes (Police Crime Prevention at State and Federal levels), which offers crime prevention advice and accepts fraud reports.
- Inform the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) as they oversee banking security regulations.
Unfortunately, none of the search results provide direct contact details for reporting card skimming fraud, but generally:
- Banks provide 24/7 hotlines for card theft/fraud; their numbers are on the back of your card or their official website.
- For police reporting, dial the general emergency number (112) for urgent cases or visit the nearest police station.
- Online fraud can also be reported to the police cybercrime units in large cities.
The police are searching for the suspect using surveillance camera photos and are asking the public for tips. If you have any information about the suspect in the photos, please contact the detectives of the Criminal Commission 32 of the Duisburg Police under the number 0203 2800.
Germany applies strict regulations and chip-and-PIN technology on Girocards and credit cards, making reported skimming incidents relatively rare. However, vigilance is crucial to minimize risks and respond quickly to skimming fraud.
| Prevention Tips | Reporting Contacts | |----------------------------------|---------------------------------| | Check ATM/device integrity | Bank’s fraud hotline | | Shield PIN entry | Local police (visit or emergency 112) | | Use ATMs inside banks | Police cybercrime units (in cities) | | Monitor account regularly | BaFin for regulatory complaints | | Use chip-and-PIN cards | Polizei Kriminalprävention sites |
These additional tips, provided by the police, are not related to the cities affected by the skimming incidents or the police search for the suspect. They are designed to help minimize risks and respond quickly to skimming fraud in Germany.
In light of the increased EC card skimming incidents across multiple German cities, it's essential to employ technology-based precautions such as checking for suspicious devices on payment terminals, shielding PINs, and using chip-and-PIN cards to reduce skimming risks. To report EC card skimming or fraudulent activity, contact your bank or card issuer, local police, or the Police Crime Prevention at State and Federal levels. For immediate assistance, dial the general emergency number (112) or use the 24/7 hotline provided by your bank. Police cybercrime units in large cities can also assist with online fraud reporting.
