Alberta RCMP looking for high-tech debit card skimmers

RCMP are looking for a team of four people who were caught on surveillance video at an Airdrie fast-food outlet tampering with debit machines.

Police on Friday released the video, which shows a man discreetly swapping a debit machine while a woman blocks the clerk's view with a purse.

Const. Lane Menard said the culprits switch the store's machine for a fake at closing time, take the original away and rig it to wirelessly transmit transaction details, including PINs, to a laptop. The following morning, the thieves return and sneak the original, tampered machine back into place.

Menard said if everything goes as planned, neither the merchant nor customers realize anything is amiss.

The gang then harvests the information that comes in and makes phoney bank cards to loot bank accounts.

Menard said there is only one way to ensure your bank account has not been compromised.

"What we highly recommend is that you check your bank statements, your online banking or whatever on a regular basis. It would almost be nice to see it daily."

Menard also advises people to switch their PINs once a month because it often takes that long for the crooks to begin using the information.