Now why would the Herald so generously supply detailed pictures and instructions on how to do the skimming? Is this responsible reporting?

If they convict and lock this gang up it's going to cost the NZ tax payer even more.

I would just tie them up next to one of the ATM's and let those customers who were affected wreak their revenge on them, much cheaper.

 IF ONLY. I imagine every international criminal finishes off their nightly prayers with "and Lord, if I get caught, please let it be in New Zealand, where the prisons are nicer than living free in most countries." 

 Comes as no surprise to me; these eastern European types are fairly well known for this sort of thing in the UK.

Perhaps we could do a deal with the Romanians, we lock these criminals away and they get Max Key...

cynnicallemon:

 

Perhaps we could do a deal with the Romanians, we lock these criminals away and they get Max Key...

 

That's a great move.  These Romanian crims can school up our local crims in methods for relatively sophisticated non-violent fraud rather than raiding corner dairies with sawn off shotguns. Max can instruct Romanian crims on how to keep a low profile when you think you might be under scrutiny.

Do we have any protection from these activities? (eg if it happens to you do you get your money refunded)

I would think that if a bank appliance lets someone rip you off the least the bank can do is compensate your loss.

In NZ I think you are protected but I dont know about other countries.

You're protected except for the first $50 - though I expect if you were genuinely skimmed the bank would probably waive your $50 first liability.

The Banking Ombudsman's office however has a couple of sample rulings which cause me a bit of concern, where cards have been physically stolen (rather than "skimmed") and the offender has withdrawn cash using the card owner's PIN, the Ombudsman has ruled (at least partly) in the bank's favour as that suggested that the card owner hadn't done enough to protect their PIN.
If they want to play dirty, then they could cause you some grief if they suspect you weren't being quite up-front.  For example I know my wife's PIN, she knows mine, that's a breach of T&C, if they'd had evidence of that, we could be in trouble.

Geektastic:

 

 Comes as no surprise to me; these eastern European types are fairly well known for this sort of thing in the UK.

 

These eastern European types? Are you tring to tell us something?

Rikkitic:

 

Geektastic:

 

 Comes as no surprise to me; these eastern European types are fairly well known for this sort of thing in the UK.

 

 

These eastern European types? Are you tring to tell us something?

 

 

Yes These scum that come to NZ to rip us off!

Rikkitic:

 

Geektastic:

 

 Comes as no surprise to me; these eastern European types are fairly well known for this sort of thing in the UK.

 

 

These eastern European types? Are you tring to tell us something?

 

 

 

Only if I wasn't successful in ACTUALLY telling you something...

So I guess all Eastern Europeans exist only to come to the UK and NZ to molest our ATMs? 

Rikkitic:

 

So I guess all Eastern Europeans exist only to come to the UK and NZ to molest our ATMs? 

 

 

 

When they were arrested earlier in the year I was told something along the lines on it now being about a dozen Romanian gangs/groups that have been caught in NZ skimming over the last few years. It's something they're prolific at worldwide.