News

Actions

ATM fraud at all-time high, up 546 percent in 2015

Posted at 3:32 PM, Jun 08, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-08 16:41:52-04

Thieves are using skimming devices to commit ATM fraud, and it's at an all-time high.

According to analytic software firm FICO, the number of ATMs in the U.S. compromised by criminals rose 546 percent in 2015 over 2014.

Jody Michael couldn’t believe it when her bank told her she needed a new card.

“I’ve only used it in the last two months at two places,” Michael explained.

Michael said she’s very cautious when it comes to protecting her information even using a security card to protect the cards in her wallet.

“Even like ATMs, I pull on them. I pulled on that one and I do it every single time, even when I use gas stations things, I check to see if the tape's been torn or anything," said Michael. "I'm super cautious all the time because I know it happens." 

Detective Dennis Reaser of Overland Park explained the new skimming devices are high tech, “Pinhole cameras, it will be like a casing that they can attach to the ATM machine itself and have a little pinhole camera that shoots right down to the keypad."

The experience left Michael uneasy and cautious about taking out cash at all, “Yeah, I kind of felt violated, you know.”

The Secret Service says to always cover the keypad with your other hand when you enter your pin and check accounts daily for suspicious charges.

------

 

Shannon Halligan can be reached at shannon.halligan@kshb.com.

Follow her on Twitter

Follow @ShanHalligan

Connect on Facebook