ATM Credit/Debit Card Skimmers Found At Multiple Sites In Petaluma

PETALUMA, CA — An "alert" technician working Saturday on an ATM at the Bank of America on Kentucky Street in Petaluma discovered two "skimming" devices on machines, along with cameras positioned to watch keypad entries, according to authorities.

Two days later on Monday, skimmer devices were found at three 7-Eleven stores — on Howard Street, Perry Lane and D Street, the Petaluma Police Department said.

"Skimmers," a theft device to collect debit and/or credit card data at ATMs, gas stations, restaurants or retail stores, are used to make fraudulent purchases on victims' credit cards. Often hard to detect, the fake card readers or keypads can be placed over real ATM keypads, experts said.

While Petaluma police are investigating the reported crimes, the department wants to alert possible victims to monitor their credit and debit card activity by checking bank statements and online accounts.

Authorities on skimmer crimes advise citizens do a visual and physical inspection of card readers, by checking for alignment issues or anything making the card reader stick out at an odd angle. If the security seals appear to have been tampered with, avoid using the card reader.

Find more skimmer-theft prevention tips here.

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