BANK machine customers are falling foul of a devious new scam – prompting Barclays to issue a video on how to avoid becoming a victim.

The scam involves two offenders working in tandem to glimpse the victims PIN and distract them before quickly swapping their real bank card for a fake one.

Thereafter the offenders use the real card to withdraw money from the victim’s account.

The video shows a customer using an adjacent cash machine to that of the victim.

Behind and to the side of him, a girl watches the victim enter his PIN.

Just as the victim’s real card is returned from the machine, she drops a bag on the floor, prompting the victim to turn around and help her.

Meanwhile, the man on the adjacent machine quickly reaches over and exchanges the real card for a fake one.

When the victim turns back around, everything appears normal – the dispensed cash is still in the machine waiting to be picked up, but the card in the slot is now fake.

The scam is particularly devious as it appeals to the victim’s sense of social responsibility in helping the ‘distractor’.

Barclays issued the following advice alongside the video:-

  • Don’t let anyone distract you when you’re at a cash machine. 
  • Cover your PIN when you pay in shops or go to a cash machine.
  • Ignore people who speak to you when you’re at a cash machine – even if they appear to be helpful. 
  • Don’t use a cash machine if it, or anyone around it, looks suspicious. 
  • Call your bank straightaway if you think your card, PIN or other security details have been compromised.

For more on fraud awareness, visit Barclays' fraud awareness page here