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Detectives in Yonkers are currently investigating an ATM skimming incident from Citizen’s Bank at 2371 Central Park Ave., where a device was discovered attached to an ATM at the location on March 18 and 19.
Anyone who used an ATM at that location has been encouraged by police to review their bank and credit statements for suspicious activities, Sgt. Dean Politopoulos said on Tuesday. Anyone who suspects fraudulent transactions as a result can contact the Yonkers Police Department at (914) 377-7900.
According to officials, skimming devices allow thieves to copy credit or debit card information, and it can often be difficult to determine that a device is attached to a payment terminal or ATM. Police said that consumers should contact their banks or credit card companies by calling the number on the back of the card to obtain further information about protecting their identities.
In an effort to help Yonkers residents, local police officials have released a series of tips to help them avoid becoming a victim of skimmers:
- Use familiar ATMs and limit visits. Restaurants, bars and gas stations seem to be the places where card skimming incidents happen most frequently. Try to stick to using bank ATMs inside secure lobbies or visit a human teller.
- Check for tampering. Check for obvious signs of ATM tampering. If something looks different, such as a different color or material, graphics that aren’t aligned correctly, or anything else that doesn’t look right, don’t use that ATM.
- Wiggle everything. Even if you can’t see any visual differences, push at everything. ATMs are solidly constructed and generally don’t have any jiggling or loose parts.
- Cover your password with your hand. Hidden cameras are disguised so they can pick up your password. By protecting it, ATM thieves can’t access your account.
- Use caution. Be careful who you hand your card to, especially at unfrequented gas stations and restaurants, where unscrupulous employees may skim your card on portable skimming devices.
- Check your accounts regularly. Keep an eye on your bank and credit accounts regularly for signs of fraudulent activity, and report suspicious occurrences immediately to financial institutions.
“Skimmers are essentially malicious card readers that grab the data off the card’s magnetic stripe attached to the real payment terminals, so they can harvest data from every person that swipes their cards. Most of the time, the attackers will also place a hidden camera somewhere in the vicinity with a view of the number pad in order to record personal identification numbers (PINs)."
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