Notice from the 71st Precinct of the NYPD:
Identity Theft has become the number one crime affecting our community. Please remember these simple steps to help prevent you from becoming a victim of a crime.
Never give your Social Security number out over the phone.
Never give out a credit card number to a phone call soliciting merchandise, asking for donations or to buy products.
Never use public computers to buy items or transmit personal information.
Always watch merchants swiping your credit card or ATM cards.
Check all ATMs for false card readers by simply giving the card reader a little tug to assure a false card reader was not placed over it.
Always shred mail, bills and other items with personal info.
The IRS will never call you about your taxes this is a scam.
Never pay in green dot or gift cards. Anyone asking you payment by these methods is a scam.
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ATM “Skimming” is an illegal activity which involves the installation of devices that are undetectable by ATM users.
These devices secretly record bank account data when the customer inserts a card into an ATM machine. Criminals can then encode the stolen data onto a blank card and use it to steal money from the customer’s bank account.
HOW IT WORKS:
The criminal creates a skimmer which is usually made out of plastic or plaster and looks very much like the original card reader. This skimmer is then placed directly over the ATM card reader, undetectable by the customer.
As customers insert their ATM card into the false skimmer, the bank account information which is stored on the cards magnetic strip is “skimmed” or stolen and usually stored on some type of electronic device.
In conjunction with the skimming device, a hidden camera is often used, in order to record the customer’s Personal Identification Number (PIN #)
In lieu of a hidden camera, a keyboard overlay is sometimes placed directly over the original keypad. This overlay is undetectable by the customer and will record the user as they are typing in their PIN #
HOW TO AVOID BEING SKIMMED:
Inspect the bank ATM, grocery store ATM, gas pump or any other card reader before using it. Be suspicious if you see anything loose, crooked, damaged or if you notice adhesive/tape residue. An original card reader is usually concave in shape (curving inward); while the skimmer is more convex (curving outward)
When entering your PIN #, block the keypad with your free hand to prevent possible hidden cameras from recording your number
Be aware of “money trapping.” This is where the criminal attaches a device to the cash dispenser, trapping the customer’s money and retrieves the money after the customer leaves the ATM area.
Be wary of ATM’s in tourist locations, as they are often the target of skimmers
When using an ATM, it is much safer to use a reputable bank. Avoid using ATM’s at grocery stores, pharmacies, fast food locations, etc.
my card was skimmed/fraud-ed big time in Crown Heights. Hundreds of Dollars was spent within a day, before my bank got wind, and cancelled my card . almost positive I know which store it happened in, although have no proof.