Johnston police investigate ATM skimming discovery

Similar devices found in North Providence and Central Falls

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Have you swiped your bank card at this automatic teller machine (ATM)?

Hours after Johnston Police discovered a “skimming device” attached to a Killingly Street ATM, they were looking for suspects and asking customers to review bank balances.

Police were informed of the device “attached to an ATM inside the Cumberland Farms” at 663 Killingly St. around 12 p.m. on Tuesday, March 21. They released images of a green Citizens Bank ATM.

“Those who may have recently used this ATM should check with their financial institution for unauthorized transactions or withdrawals, and monitor accounts for fraud,” police warned residents.

Johnston Police defined card skimmers as “small, illegal devices that fit onto ATMs, or on top of card readers at self-service sale terminals, and are designed to blend in with the rest of the machine while obtaining personal information.”

Skimmers can be tough to spot, police said.

“The skimming device was located just a few hours ago,” Johnston Police Chief Mark A. Vieira said Tuesday afternoon. “This incident is currently under investigation.  No suspects have been identified at this time.”

Johnston Police had a few tips for residents. When using an ATM, they suggest remembering the word “SCAN,” an acronym checklist.

  • S: Scan the area for hidden cameras that may record you typing your PIN. These may be mounted near the keypad so always cover your hand while you type in a PIN.
  • C: Compare the card reader and keypad to the rest of the machine. The colors and styles should all match, and graphics should be aligned and unobscured.
  • A: Assess for obvious signs of tampering. Broken or dented panels may be visible or security seals may be broken.
  • N: Nudge the card reader and keypad. Card skimmers and fake keypads are meant to be removed, so if they feel loose, you may have spotted a skimmer.

“Management for Cumberland Farms discovered the skimming device and alerted our department,” Vieira said the next day, on Wednesday morning. “Card skimmers are small illegal devices that fit inside the card readers of ATMs.  These card-skimming devices, along with overlays placed on the keypad of ATMs, blend in with the rest of the ATM.  Through these devices, offenders are able to obtain personal information and personal identification numbers associated with the bank cards inserted in the ATM.  Offenders use the data to create fake accounts and then steal from victims.”

Police have not determined the length of time the skimming device was on the ATM.

“We are unaware when this illegal skimming device was installed and the investigation is ongoing,” Vieira said. “The Johnston Police Department encourages anyone who has recently utilized the ATM at this Cumberland Farms to check with their financial institutions for unauthorized transactions. To protect against ATM skimmers, users should scan the ATM for irregularities such as hidden cameras.  Also, users should compare the card reader and keypad to the rest of the ATM to make sure they match the rest of the machine.  A loose card reader and keypad on the ATM is indicative of a skimming device.”

Citizens Bank urges customers to “report any suspected fraud concerning your Citizens accounts” by calling 1-800-922-9999, or the phone number found on the back of your credit/debit card or monthly statement.

Media reports have identified police reports of similar skimming devices found at other locations in the area, including an ATM at the Cumberland Farms on Mineral Spring Avenue in North Providence. Another device was found at the Broad Street Cumberland Farms in Central Falls, according to reporting by WPRI.

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