ATM Skimmer Found At Drive-Thru Of Wilmette Bank: Police

WILMETTE, IL — An ATM skimmer was found at a Wilmette bank last week, compromising the account information of a so-far undetermined number of customers over the course of more than a month. According to Wilmette police, management and security from the North Shore Community Bank reported on Sept. 25 at 12:48 p.m. that a skimming device was found on the drive-thru ATM at the 720 12th St. location.

Bank personnel believe the skimmer was placed between around 3 p.m. on Aug. 19, police said. An unidentified suspect, described as a white man, was seen walking up to the ATM to place the skimmer on it on security footage. However, he covered the ATM's camera with a substance thought to have been Vaseline in order to conceal himself, preventing any more detailed description. Staff at the bank do not know how many customers have have been affected, police said.

On the same day the ATM skimmer was reported, a Wilmette resident came into the police station to report that her ATM card had been fraudulently used three times for a loss of more than $1,500. She told police she had last used her card at the North Shore Community Bank drive-thru ATM. Police believe it is related to the skimming device.

Another resident told police her ATM card had been used three times in Glenview and in Skokie. North Shore Community Bank advised her to file a police report, as she had last used her debit card at the bank during the time the skimming device had been placed on its outdoor ATM, police said. She also reported a loss of more than $1,500.

Wilmette police are checking with other agencies to see if there have been similar incidents, according to Deputy Chief Patrick Collins. Collins said the last reported instance of an ATM skimmer found in Wilmette was just over two years ago at a gas station. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Wilmette — or your community. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

_{Location of the ATM skimmer found by Wilmette police Sept. 25 (Google)}

How to Avoid ATM Scams

It can be extremely tough to notice skimmers, which save credit card information and are often combined with a hidden camera. They've been around for years, but the technology to steal credit account information keeps improving and the devices keep getting harder to detect. It's worth noting however, that the skimmer do not usually work with cards that contain microchips.

Criminals using ATM skimming devices make off with more than $2 billion of other people's money annually, a vice president of ATM manufacturer Diebold Nixdorf told CNBC. And a cybersecurity expert explained that the newest scanners are as thin as credit cards.

"It slides into the slot and down. It's not even detectable," the CEO of cybersecurity training company Social-Engineer told CNBC.

“Identity theft can happen to you whether you’re shopping online or at the mall, making it critical that we all take specific steps to fight both low and hi-tech id thieves,” said Steve Bernas, CEO of the Chicago Better Business Bureau.

The Chicago Better Business Bureau offered the following advice to avoid ATM fraud:

• Inspect the ATM – Avoid using ATMs in poorly lit or low trafficked areas. Experts often recommend choosing a bank ATM over standalone ATMs in public places. Look for new or suspiciously placed cameras and unusual signage. Walk away and use another ATM if something appears out of the ordinary.
• Protect your PIN – When entering your PIN, cover the keypad with your other hand to protect your private information from any cameras in the vicinity. Periodically change your PIN.
• Monitor your statements – Even the most careful person can fall victim to skimmers. Keep a close eye out for suspicious charges on the itemized breakdown of your accounts. Through your financial institution, you can also sign up for alerts that will notify you when certain types of transactions occur.
• Report fraud immediately – Report any fraudulent activity to your bank as soon as you discover it. Consumer protections for debit and credit cards vary but depend largely on when the fraudulent activity is reported.
• Consider using an RFID sleeve- Many credit/debit cards and driver's licenses contain RFID chips with personal data. By using this sleeve, you can keep your personal data secure by preventing unauthorized access.

_{Top photo: An ATM skimmer found by Aurora police on June 4, 2017 | Aurora PD}