Boston police said the skimmers can be hidden inside or placed over an ATM's card reader, allowing them to copy information from a card's magnetic stripe or chip. In some cases, thieves also set up tiny cameras to capture a PIN as it's typed into the ATM. At store checkout counters, criminals may use plastic overlays on keypads or card readers that secretly collect card data.
Theft by access card: A Saratoga resident reported that someone used their debit card information to make two unauthorized ATM withdrawals totaling approximately $426. Oct. 3 Check forgery: A Saratoga resident reported that someone obtained a check the victim mailed out from a US Post Office, then altered and attempted to cash the check for approximately $24,000, but the victim contacted the bank and stopped the transaction in time.
The scam led to ATMs across New York City being depleted of $17 million over just three days, with fraudulent activities mainly targeting the Summer Youth Employment Program participants.