Bridgeport Police Seek Public’s Help Identifying Suspect In Credit Card Skimming Incident

BRIDGEPORT, CT — Bridgeport police are asking for the public’s help identifying a man accused of placing a skimming device on a credit card reader at Gala Foods, 1050 East Main St., on Wednesday morning.

According to Det. Jeffrey Holtz, the suspect attached the device to a credit card reader while making a purchase at about 10 a.m. June 17. Police said the man used a legitimate $100 bill to pay for the transaction.

The suspect removed the skimming device and ran from the store with it in his pants pocket after being stopped by loss prevention officers, Holtz said.

According to police, skimming devices are often placed over existing card readers and may make the equipment appear bulkier than normal. The devices can capture customers’ card information, which can then be sold or used to create fraudulent cards.

Police released photographs and video that they said show the suspect attaching and removing the device before leaving the store. The brief video appears to show the suspect trying to fit the skimmer on the card reader and quickly removing it.

— Surveillance photo of the suspect who allegedly tried to place a credit card skimmer on a credit card reader at Gala Foods in Bridgeport. Photo credit: Bridgeport Police Department

Anyone with information is asked to contact Financial Crimes Detective Frank Podpolucha at 203-395-6359.

Police are also reminding residents to watch for signs of skimming devices when using credit or debit cards or ATMs and to report suspicious activity to store employees, store management or the bank operating the ATM. Residents can also call the Bridgeport Police Department’s non-emergency number at 203-576-7671 if they encounter a suspicious stand-alone point-of-sale terminal.

— A photo of a generic card skimming device. Photo credit: Bridgeport Police Department

Police said skimming schemes can be carried out by individuals or organized groups. They also noted that newer devices, known as “shimmers,” are being used to steal information from credit card chips.