Last Updated: March 24, 2010

ATM Scams At Bank Of America

•On March 3, Bank of America (BOA) reported that they had found a ATM card skimming device that was placed on the ATM at the branch at 17 Glen St., Glen Cove, over the weekend of January 30-31. BOA security specialist Daniel Foster reported that 34 accounts had been compromised over the weekend and they closed and re-issued 195 accounts as a precaution.
On March 15, bank officials reported to the Glen Cove Police Department that the scope of the frauds was much larger than originally believed and that skimming devices were found in ten (10) area BOA branches in the Glen Cove/North Shore area. Foster stated that they are not sure of the exact dates or how many accounts have been compromised as of yet but they are now aware that these incidents of card skimming have occurred several more times since the first report on January 30.
Card skimming, in this case, is an unlawful technique to steal account information from unsuspecting ATM users. How it works is that the suspect usually places a bogus card reading device over top of the one on the ATM so that it appears as a legitimate part of the machine. When the victim swipes his/her card in the machine, it is read by both the bogus device, which retains your account information, and also by the real ATM, which allows you to make a withdrawal after you enter your PIN number. The second part of the scam is usually a hidden video camera placed by the suspect that watches you enter your PIN number. When the suspect goes back to the bank and removes the illegal equipment, they take it back and match up the account info from the skimmer with the video of you entering your PIN number. They can now make up new cards with your information recorded on the magnetic strip and can then use those cards with your PIN at any ATM to withdraw your money.
This is just one example of card skimming. It can also be done to credit cards or any card with a magnetic stripe. Once handed your credit card, a clerk, cashier, waiter, or any other service employee can use a pocket size skimmer to surreptitiously swipe your credit card. Once the skimmer is full, the clerk then hands it off to the criminal enterprise and collects a fee for each card that was skimmed. We highly recommend that you inspect your monthly statements for accuracy, as banks and credit card companies usually don’t hold you responsible if you find fraud in a timely manner. Also, when entering your PIN number at an ATM, try to cover your hand to block any video surveillance.
The suspects in the case outlined above are believed to be part of a criminal gang of Eastern European descent who travel up and down the I-95 corridor from New York to Florida to commit these scams. If anyone is seen tampering with an ATM machine, please contact Glen Cove Police at 516-676-1000.

 

 

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