Nutley Cops Find ATM Skimming Device At 7-Eleven, Issue Alert

Nutley, NJ – Nutley police issued an alert after finding a “skimming device” attached to an ATM at a local convenience store.

The “sophisticated electronic device” was discovered at the 7-Eleven on Passaic Avenue on Sunday, Nutley Detective Anthony Montanari stated.

Montanari stated on Tuesday that the electronics are being sent for forensic investigation in an effort to determine the identity of possible victims.

The scam is not new to Nutley, Montanari said.

“In 2014, Nutley police arrested a man for the same crime on Centre Street, and most recently joined in becoming target to a network of thefts that have occurred throughout New Jersey in the past few months,” Montanari said.

HOW THE SCAM WORKS

Montanari shared how ATM skimming typically works:

“One actor distracts store employee, while the other takes a few minutes to place the device over the card reader. The plastic device looks very much like a part of the machine that is supposed to be attached. The device is retrofitted with electronics that video tape transactions through a pinhole camera, powered by two-three cellular phone batteries, attached to the back side of plastic frame. Another device is placed over actual slot where card is inserted. Collectively the device captures the transaction numbers and personal password and account numbers.

“The device contains a small micro sim card that stores all transactions over the course of a day, until actors return to remove the device,” Montanari added. “Some devices have blue tooth technology that can retrieve data without entering the establishment.”

Nutley Police Chief Thomas Strumolo said that once a skimming device is installed, it requires a trained eye or someone that is familiar with the device to identify it.

Once identity and account information is stolen, charges can appear virtually anywhere, Strumolo said.

Mayor and Police Director Alphonse Petracco said that there have been several arrests in Union County, and dozens of card readers recovered.

Many victims are unaware they have been victimized until their statement arrives, and could be out thousands of dollars before learning about the scam, Petracco stated.

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Photos courtesy of the Nutley Police Department