TORONTO (CUP)—A debit card scam discovered on the York University campus led to 19 arrests and 166 charges laid.

Automated bank machines on the campus seized several duplicated cards created by a “skimming” scam operating throughout Canada.

According to police, perpetrators have been setting up fake point-of-sale terminals at various retail facilities.

Upon the completion of an Interac transaction, the fake terminal records the consumer’s personal identification number (PIN) and other confidential information.

The organized crime ring then uses the information to create another card and use it at bank machines to withdraw large amounts of cash from the victim’s account, police report.

This crime is called “skimming.”

Toronto Police Fraud Squad sergeant John White said the actual purchase would never show up on the victim’s account because the point of sale terminal “has been tampered with inside.”

He further explains that software and hardware to make fake debit cards is readily available and similar to the software universities use to make student identification cards.

Elise Ubbriaco, manager of York’s Bank of Montreal branch, urges students to change their PINs often and report any suspicious activity to police immediately.

“If a customer is skimmed, the bank has to cover their losses,” said Ubbriaco. She said last month the York bank machines seized cards that had been duplicated with the skimming system.

According to Ubbriaco, patrons should watch how many times the retail clerk scans their debit card during a transaction.

“Some places scan the card twice,” said Ubbriaco. “Once is for the purchase and the other time so they can register your information.”

Sgt. White explains the majority of tampered terminals were found in gas bar locations but stresses “these things could show up virtually anywhere.”

Ubbriaco assures students that obtaining a new bank card or PIN is easy and students should not hesitate to take precautions.

With the Christmas shopping season around the corner, some students say they’re concerned.

Ashley Vierra, a third-year psychology student, said she felt using a debit card was a safer alternative to carrying cash or using credit, but said she will now reconsider each time she makes a purchase.

“It’s as if there are no safe ways to carry or use your money,” said Vierra. “The Christmas season will be a dangerous time for shoppers. There should be more public awareness.”

Sgt. White explains that detection of a fake terminal is virtually impossible since the machine will look the same, have the same screen prompts and make the same sounds as a legitimate machine.

The only difference is the wiring is not hooked up to a financial institution.

“You wouldn’t be able to tell these machines from any other machine,” said Sgt. White.

“[This happens] where someone could have temporary employment and they would move on or the machine would move on and they stay [at the retail outlet].”

“You can bet there are going to be a lot more arrests,” said Sgt. White.

Scams were revealed in London, Niagara Falls, Hamilton and several locations throughout Toronto.

Similar scams occurred across Canada, in British Columbia, Yukon Territory, Alberta and the Maritimes.