ALERT: Ankeny Residents Should Check Bank Statements for Fraud

The is urging residents in the city of Ankeny to immediately review your bank statement for the possibility of fraudulent charges related to use of your debit card and PIN number.

This crime alert does not include the use of credit cards.

Ankeny police cannot determine the date or time debit card and PIN numbers were compromised; however, the use of this stolen information occurred this past weekend.

Ankeny police believe this activity may have affected several hundred individuals who use their debit card along with their PIN number. The majority of fraudulent debit card use has impacted Ankeny residents particularly hard.

Police have recorded nearly 60 reported incidents while financial institutions in the city are collectively reporting several hundred customers impacted by the crime.

In nearly all cases the card number and PIN number were intercepted during authorized purchases, possibly within the past several months, and that information was used to access ATM machines throughout southern California, illegally obtaining money from personal accounts.

The Ankeny Police Department is working closely with surrounding law enforcement agencies and has enlisted the assistance of the Secret Service in both the Des Moines and Chicago area to assist in locating the person who skimmed the debit card accounts.

Ankeny police are requesting anyone who uses a debit card along with their PIN number to immediately access their bank account and notify their financial institution of any unauthorized withdrawals.  If your current debit card has fraudulent charges associated with it, it may be necessary to work closely with your financial institution to cancel the debit card and request a new card and PIN number.

Individuals are encouraged to use the following precautions when using their debit cards:

• PIN Number – Do not use the same pin number on multiple debit cards accessing the same banking account. Each debit card should have a separate PIN number.

• Limit Withdrawals – Request a daily limit or cap on ATM withdrawals. Limiting your withdrawals from an ATM also limits unauthorized withdrawals should your card be stolen. $200 daily limit is recommended.

• Checking or Savings- Whenever possible set up your debit card for checking account access only. If your debit card can access both your savings and checking accounts an unauthorized withdrawal can remove money from both accounts.

• E-Mail Receipts- If you access your e-mail account daily you should set up your debit card account for electronic or e-mail receipts.  An e-mail receipt can show you any unauthorized activity on your account as it occurs particularly if your smart phone manages your e-mails.

If you live in Ankeny and have been a victim of an unauthorized debit card transaction or money withdrawal you are encouraged to contact your financial institution immediately and report the offense to Detective Mark Moeller at the Ankeny Police Department.

To report an illegal use of your debit card, contact Moeller at 515-289-5262.

The above information was contained in a press release issued by the City of Ankeny. Ankeny Patch will be updating this story as it develops.