Police Investigate ‘Skimmers’ Found On ATMs In Southern Wisconsin

Devices Allow Thieves To Steal Banking Information

By
William Grootonk (CC-BY-SA)

Police have advised ATM users to take caution after a number of so-called “skimming devices” were found on machines in southern Wisconsin.

A “skimmer” is a tool used by scammers to capture and store payment card information. Often, it’s a small electronic device designed to resemble an ATM’s card reader or PIN entry pad. Skimmers can also come in the form of concealed cameras pointed at an ATM’s keypad.

Joel DeSpain, the public information officer for the Madison Police Department, said these skimming cases often play out in similar ways.

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“Typically we’ll have people come from out of town, place these devices on an ATM for 24 hours, take the device off and then they’re gone,” he said.

DeSpain said since June, a total of eight devices have been found on UW Credit Union, Associated Bank and BMO Harris ATMs in the county. He said the losses from those eight cases probably amount to around $400,000 in losses.

Five Educators Credit Union ATMs in southeastern Wisconsin were also targeted in the past two weeks.

To prevent fraud, banks say ATM users should inspect machines and cover the keypad while entering in their PIN.

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