Credit card scam

                                         Newstead resident, Dave Hall.

Castlemaine and district residents are still dealing with the shock arising from the credit card scam which surfaced late last week.
Bendigo and Adelaide Bank acted quickly when they discovered that data had been stolen from a store's system and that a number of the bank's cards had been comprised.
The bank contacted all of their customers who had used their cards at that store to advise them the bank was cancelling their cards and would issue new ones immediately.
Bendigo and Adelaide Bank spokeswoman Lauren Treacy said that they had become aware of the issue last Wednesday evening.
Ms Treacy emphasised that the bank's data had not been compromised and its systems had not been breached.
Ms Treacy said that the stolen data would include card details of other banks.
Some Commonwealth Bank and MECU customers have told the Mail their cards have been cancelled. It is understood that all people who have lost funds through unauthorised transactions either have been or will be compensated by their banks and new cards issued.
Ms Treacy said that people should always check their credit card histories either online or on their statements and draw attention to their bank immediately if they suspect there is something wrong.
Mount Alexander Shire Mayor, Janet Cropley said it would be better if the banks would tell the community as much as they can.
"While there is gossip it is not good for the community," Cr Cropley said.
"I believe the banks have been very pro-active, and no-one will lose money as the banks have been looking after people well.
"It would be far better if we had good information as it would settle down the gossip."
Castlemaine Police officer, Acting Senior Sergeant Peter Johnston said that police had touched base with the banks.
"The banks are conducting their own forensic analysis," he said.
Acting Senior-Sergeant Johnston said that police at Castlemaine had not been requested to assist.
The scam has certainly been a talking point in the town with thousands of people affected one way or another.
Newstead IT consultant Dave Hall said he had two cards cancelled, both with the Bendigo Bank.
"I didn't lose any money out of the accounts but when the cards were cancelled I faced the prospect of having no cash, so I went to the Castlemaine branch and found about 20 other people there all in the same boat," Mr Hall said.
He praised the bank's staff for the way they handled such a difficult situation.
"People were very concerned and the staff were doing everything they could to re-assure people - I think they did a really good job."
Mr Hall, who works from home but travels around the world to service clients, said his first dilemma was telling his own creditors he couldn't pay them because he simply didn't have a card.
"I received the new cards within a week ... now I have to call about 20 companies and update my card details. My point is that it all takes time - probably a few hours - and costs money because it is time when I would normally be working."
Mr Hall said he believed the responsible bank should name the responsible merchant.
"In a town like Castlemaine the rumour mill can ruin an innocent business. We need to know if a merchant or staff member has been skimming the cards or if their systems have been compromised."
Another local resident, Denise Button, said she had four cards cancelled and hasn't had any cash for over a week.
"I am with an out-of-town credit union," she said. "We had some cash on us at the time and obviously we have survived ... we are lucky to have friends who have also offered to help us if we need it."
Ms Button said she had mixed feelings about identifying the business responsible for "potentially the actions of a staff member".
"But on the flip side of that, all businesses will be impacted by people's fear and uncertainty."