Broadview Heights - Credit and Debit card users be warned, skimmers are still a threat and one was found Monday afternoon at an ATM in Broadview Heights.
Skimmers are small devices that fit inside the card slot on ATMs or gas pumps. Although they are hard to spot, they can steal your card information.
Broadview Heights Police shared photos of the ATM at the Firefighters Community Credit Union on Broadview Road.
Lisa, who was interviewed by our partners at WKYC, is a victim of the skimming thieves. She used her card at the ATM last Saturday, and after seeing the police department's Facebook post yesterday, she checked her bank account and was stunned and furious to see that the thieves had withdrawn $500 from her account in two separate transactions, from U.S Banks in Cleveland.
"I hope they f-----g die from the drugs that they bought with my money. Because, you know, I work hard for my money," she exclaimed.
Broadview Heights Police say the thieves were able to attach a false plate with a pinhole to allow a camera to record a customer as they entered their PIN. A metal card reader was inserted into the ATM's card reader, which recorded the user's card information that was stored in an SD card.
Police suggest before using an ATM or gas station card reader, visually inspect the reader and surrounding area for any loose pieces, pieces that seem out of place or changes from the last time you used it.
Lisa however said nothing looked, or felt out of place when she used the ATM.
"There was no difficulty putting it in the machine, everything went in as normal." Fortunately, her bank account has fraud protection, so Lisa is expecting to get all of her money back soon.
Officers don't know how long the device was on the ATM, or how many people were affected, so they urge anyone who has recently used the ATM before Monday at 4:30 p.m. when it was recovered to check their bank accounts.
If you are a victim, call the Broadview Heights Police Department at (440) 526-5400.
Photos courtesy of The Broadview Heights Police Department
Hear news updates at the top and bottom of the hour: wtam.com/listen