Once the thieves have the ATM and PIN numbers they copy the ATM cards and, using the PIN number captured by the camera, can clean out the account in a remarkably short period of time.Det. Marshall said that the camera concealed in the brochure holder is “probably motion-activated…the lens is facing the keypad” to capture the PIN number that is needed to access bank accounts.“I would assume the equipment used would cost some money but the thieves are cleaning out people’s accounts; although there have been some arrests other people are doing it,” he noted.It’s always a good idea to be careful when using an ATM but it’s important to keep in mind that just because no one is around when you access your account you should still cover the keypad while inputting the account PIN number.The next time you use an ATM be sure to examine it: if something looks suspicious or the equipment appears bulky and/or there is a brochure holder near the keypad, notify the bank immediately using the 1-800 number listed on the ATM.
Sophisticated high-tech ATM thefts cleaning out bank accounts
September 02, 2005
Santa Paula News
Ventura Police are warning all county residents of a rash of sophisticated high-technology ATM thefts that have cleaned out the bank accounts of several victims.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesVentura Police are warning all county residents of a rash of sophisticated high-technology ATM thefts that have cleaned out the bank accounts of several victims.According to Santa Paula Police Det. Gary Marshall the VPD warned that the thieves are using “Deceptively authentic-looking equipment that steals the account number…the scam includes a camera mounted on the ATM to get the victim’s PIN number.”According to the VPD, a team of organized criminals are installing equipment on legitimate in at least two regions to steal both the ATM number as well PIN numerical identification used by customers.Targeting evening and weekend ATM traffic, the team of thieves sits nearby in a car receiving the information transmitted wirelessly from equipment they install on the front of the ATM that deceptively looks like the real thing.The equipment used to capture the ATM card number is a “skimmer” that is mounted on the front of the normal ATM slot that reads the card number and transmits it to the criminals. At the same time, a wireless camera disguised as a brochure holder is mounted in a position to view ATM PIN entries.
