During this busy travel season, the Cambridge Police Department would like
to remind ATM users to be aware of skimming devices at area ATMs. These
skimming devices are being used as part of an ongoing scheme by thieves to
steal account information from customers and to defraud banks. On July 1,
2016, a skimming device (card reader) was located by a customer using an
ATM at a local convenience store in Cambridge. The device was attached with
double-sided tape. The pinhole camera was located on a plate over
the money dispenser area.
These devices are well built and appear to be part of the machine.
Customers are asked to take special attention to the card reader dome, and
either look over the pin pad area or the money dispenser area for any pinhole
camera device.
The Cambridge
Police Investigations Unit is actively following up this incident and asking
patrols to periodically check ATMs in local convenience stores, gas
stations, and other locations.
“If an ATM appears to have been tampered with, please report it right
away to the local business and the police,” stated Detective Brian O’Connor of
the Cambridge Police Department.
What is an ATM Skimmer?
It is an illegal activity that involves the installation of a device
(generally while a branch is closed), usually undetectable by ATM users, that
secretly records bank account data when the user inserts an ATM card into the
machine or an ATM door card reader. Criminals can then encode the stolen data
onto a blank card and use it to steal from the customer’s bank account.
The Cambridge Police are
working with local banks and educating regional and branch managers about these
schemes, which are not isolated to Cambridge. Special attention is being
placed on ATMs by Cambridge Police patrol officers, particularly during the
hours of bank closures.
The Cambridge Police advises local
citizens to use precaution and suggests following these tips to help you avoid
falling victim to skimmers:
-
Inspect ATMs, gas
pumps or credit card readers before using them. Be suspicious if you see
anything loose, crooked, damaged or if you notice scratches or tape residue.
-
When entering your
PIN, block the keypad with your other hand to prevent possible hidden cameras
from recording your number.
-
If possible, use an
ATM at an inside location.
-
Be careful of ATMs in
tourist areas, as they tend to be popular targets of skimmers.
-
If your ATM card is
not returned after a transaction or after hitting cancel, immediately contact
the financial institution that issued the card.
If citizens are suspicious or
experience this type of activity, they are encouraged to report it to the Cambridge
Police Department immediately by calling 617-349-3300.
More Information:
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The Cambridge Police
Department is committed to the enforcement of laws and preservation of order
that protect the rights and property of every person within the City of
Cambridge. Our mission is to provide the highest quality of police service and
to impact crime, and its associated elements, through the utilization of new
and proven crime prevention strategies and problem-solving partnerships with
our community. For more information, follow @CambridgePolice on Twitter, or
access the department’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CambridgePolice.