Local authorities are asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a suspect believed to be involved in a recent ATM skimming incident.
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Bristol Township police have released two photographs of the suspect.
The images were captured last month at the American Heritage Credit Union on Oxford Valley Road in the Fairless Hills section of the township.
Police said the suspect was installing a skimming device on one of the credit union’s ATMs.
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The device is reported to have illegally captured data from numerous debit cards.
The suspect, who police noted appeared unaware of the camera directly in front of him, is still at large.
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Investigators urged anyone who recognizes the individual or has any information regarding the incident to contact the Bristol Township Police Department’s non-emergency number at 215-328-8501.
The FBI provides some tips to the public:
ATM and POS Terminal Skimming
- ATM skimmer devices usually fit over the original card reader.
- Some ATM skimmers are inserted in the card reader, placed in the terminal, or situated along exposed cables.
- Pinhole cameras installed on ATMs record a customer entering their PIN. Pinhole camera placement varies widely.
- In some cases, keypad overlays are used instead of pinhole cameras to records PINs. Keypad overlays record a customer’s keystrokes.
- Skimming devices store data to be downloaded or wirelessly transferred later.
Tips When Using an ATM or POS Terminal
- Inspect ATMs, POS terminals, and other card readers before using. Look for anything loose, crooked, damaged, or scratched. Don’t use any card reader if you notice anything unusual.
- Pull at the edges of the keypad before entering your PIN. Then, cover the keypad when you enter your PIN to prevent cameras from recording your entry.
- Use ATMs in a well-lit, indoor location, which are less vulnerable targets.
- Be alert for skimming devices in tourist areas, which are popular targets.
- Use debit and credit cards with chip technology. In the U.S., there are fewer devices that steal chip data versus magnetic strip data.
- Avoid using your debit card when you have linked accounts. Use a credit card instead.
- Contact your financial institution if the ATM doesn’t return your card after you end or cancel a transaction.
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