Cambridge Police Alert Citizens and Local Banks about Ongoing ATM Skimming Scheme

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:

• Guide on Identity Theft for Victims and Consumers - http://www.mass.gov/ago/docs/consumer/id-theft-guide.pdf
• Surviving Theft of Financial Identity - http://www.mass.gov/ocabr/data-privacy-and-security/privacy-identity-theft/surviving-identity-theft.html

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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.