IMPORTANT CONSUMER ALERT!

United States Secret Service Uncovers ATM Fraud

The New York State Department of Banking is working closely with law enforcement officials to protect New York consumers. According to investigators at the NYPD and United States Secret Service, some victims across New York City have lost thousands of dollars since the beginning of the summer as a ring of thieves obtain personal identification numbers (pins) and make unauthorized withdrawals using fake ATM cards. The majority of complaints to the NYPD appear to have come from individuals who used ATMS on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, but also from customers in the financial district and the West Side. According to officials, most victims had used their cards in machines located at grocery stores, delis and shopping malls, rather than at bank machines, where there is generally more surveillance.

Investigators believe that the thieves use small hidden video cameras to tape people punching their personal identification numbers into ATMS and also attach a device to the machines to record data from the magnetic strips on the victim's cards. In other cases, thieves connected personal computers to ATMS and downloaded account information. The investigation has now expanded nationwide, with Secret Service agents working with local law enforcement officials and banks. Investigators say that arrests are expected in the next few weeks.

Protect Yourself from ATM Scams

• Exercise caution when making an ATM withdrawal, particularly from a machine that is located in an non-bank environment, such as a grocery store, deli or shopping mall.
• Before proceeding with your transaction, look around to guard against surveillance by anyone who may arouse your slightest suspicion.
• Use your free hand to cover the ATM keyboard while you type in your PIN number.
• Report anything suspicious immediately.
  

(westchestergov.com/consumer)