A magnetic stripe reading device including a magnetic head assembly including a mounting element defining a circumferential anti-tampering enclosure and at least one information reading sensor having output contacts, a protective layer including at least one protective grid and at least one anti-tampering contact array including at least two electrical contacts, at least one resiliently deformable conductive element arranged to selectably provide a galvanic interconnection between the electrical contacts, a closure element fixed to the assembly in a secure orientation to displace the deformable conductive element into galvanic interconnection contact with the electrical contacts, whereby tampering with the closure element causes the deformable conductive element to break the galvanic interconnection contact and a flat cable coupled to the output contacts, to the protective layer and to the electrical contacts and carrying electrical signals useful for providing a tampering alarm indication when the electrical contacts are not in galvanic contact.