By COLlive reporter
Apple Bank for Savings is admitting that many of its customers in Brooklyn fell prey to a scam after initially refusing to discuss the case.
When COLlive.com broke the news on May 11, 2015 about a skimming scheme at Apple Bank’s ATM in Crown Heights, the bank tried to avoid the embarrassing details.
David Schwartz, manager of the branch at 318 Albany Avenue, refused to discuss the matter with a COLlive reporter and abruptly hung up the phone.
“Apple bank is notorious for having terrible service, no surprise they hung up on you,” one comment wrote. Another person, calling the branch “a neighborhood joke,” wrote, “This ATM has always been problematic. I once tried to take out hundreds and the receipt came out – with no money. Took weeks to get it back.”
A week later, with the magnitude of the scam becoming more difficult to ignore, the bank has come to terms with reality and disclosed that 4 branches in Brooklyn and Queens were victims of ATM card skimming in recent months.
Jim Matera, an executive vice president at the bank, told VINnews.com that 200 customer ATM cards were compromised by thieves.
Matera said that it typically takes several days for the bank’s software to spot the fraudulent activity but didn’t explain why the bank hadn’t come forward if the issue played out over a several months.
He did state that “No key personal information was divulged and customers are 100 percent reimbursed for this kind of fraud.”
Apple Bank deactivated several hundred additional customer ATM cards as a precautionary measure, VIN News reported. Replacement cards have already been mailed out and Matera estimated that affected customers would be receiving them this week.
Matera apologized for the inconvenience to customers but offered no assurance that his customers won’t be victims again. “I’d like to say it is the last time it is going to happen, but this how people rob banks these days,” he said.
Apple Bank did not tell their customers about the breach. You found out by being embarrassed trying to make a purchase. Received notification of the breach over a week later. Now they are overly cautious when you try to use your card. I’m Out!
they would not accept me, said I had to prove I lived in NYS, I was here over a year then, brought in proof I was living here, and they still would not. Baruch Hashem I can now say about 10 years later …
What dates were effected in the scam and we’re ink apple card accts affected or anyone that used the ATM?
and the workers have an attitude
A bank that needs to be based on Albany, what does one expect?
It’s been a long time since I used a Crown Heights bank. I use one in Manhattan. Fraud can happen in any bank but the customer service in Crown Heights banks in general is appalling and there’s a definite sense of bias from some of the bank tellers.
all ways something – this is not the signature we have on file or please come back we can’t do this now…….
what dates did the breach happen?
I left that bank ages ago.. it took way too long for checks to clear, they had horrible customer service… and one ATM machine! come on…
They refunded the fraudulent withdrawals. I am still waiting for them to refund the $10 in ATM fees they took from my account.
We could use a decent bank in the neighborhood. (Apple tellers always look mad)
There’s one on every corner in BP- so at least you have a choice where to bank conveniently
Maybe it is time to find a new bank tennant who will be more receptive to the needs of the community they do business in
Stopped going there along time ago hated that place even the teller told me once they are Stone Age