South Strabane police warn bank customers of potential ‘card skimming’ at ATMs
One of the men identified by police as a suspect in the skimming incidents in South Strabane Township
A vehicle police believe was used by suspects in skimming incidents in South Strabane Township
One of the men identified by police as a suspect in the skimming incidents in South Strabane Township
South Strabane Township police are warning bank customers to check their accounts as they investigate reports of “card skimming” at two banks in the township.
The department is actively investigating the incidents that have taken place over the past two weeks, said Detective Sgt. Ken Torboli.
“It is believed that banking customers may have fallen victim of having their bank account information compromised,” Torboli said Wednesday. “The actors subsequently used the compromised account information to successfully withdraw cash from multiple automated teller machines in and around the township.
“We are currently working with multiple financial institutions in an attempt to identify the actors responsible,” he added.
The detective explained “card skimming” usually happens when a device is placed on an ATM machine that is undetected by the user. The user’s card information is captured when they use a compromised machine.
On Tuesday, a representative of Washington Financial at Washington Mall reported to police possible skimming at that location, as well as at branches in North Franklin Township, Peters Township and Washington. Two men were reportedly seen using multiple cards. They were seen in a black Jeep with stickers on the rear window, and in a newer-model black Nissan sport utility vehicle. They were confirmed to be at multiple banks with exterior ATM machines Saturday.
An employee of First Federal of Greene County told police Monday a woman driving a dark-colored Nissan Murano withdrew money several times over the weekend using different cards at the automated teller machine. It was not yet known how much money was stolen or what accounts may have been accessed.
A Coraopolis man told police money was withdrawn from his account Saturday and Sunday. He used his card with his personal identification number at KeyBank Pavilion and at a location in Bridgeville last month.
Torboli said the department is urging all banking customers to check their bank accounts often and immediately report any unauthorized transactions or withdrawals to their bank.
“We would also remind banking customers to look for any suspicious devices on or around the ATM when using the machines to withdraw funds,” Torboli said. “Unfortunately, in most cases, these devices are very difficult, if not impossible, to detect by the user.”
Customers of Washington Financial Bank were alerted of possible fraud and a notice was placed on the banks website, said Mike Chaido, chief operating officer for the bank.
“We are working diligently to fully resolve the issue and at this point, we believe we have identified all customers who may have been impacted,” according to the alert.
The bank also indicated in the alert that all customers who have been affected have been noticed and will be reimbursed all fraudulent transactions on their existing debit card. Compromised cards will be replaced and a customer can stop by any branch to immediately receive a new card.
“No one will be out any money,” Chaido said Wednesday afternoon. “It affected a very small portion of our customers.”
“It is the nature of the beast and the cost of doing business,” he added, saying the distributor of ATM machines informed them other banks also were getting hit.
For the immediate future, Washington Financial is temporarily lowering the limits on ATM withdrawals to minimize the impact of the fraud.
The bank also is urging customers to diligently monitor their account, If fraudulent charges are detected, customers should call the bank’s operations department at 724-206-1170.
Anyone who recognizes the suspects and vehicles or who may have seen them in the area in the past few weeks are asked to call township police at 724-225-8111.