In an attempt to steal credit card information, a man attached a skimmer to an ATM at the Mission Federal Credit Union in Santee on Sunday, Nov. 27.
The San Diego County Crime Stoppers and investigators from the Santee Sheriff’s Station have asked the public for their assistance in identifying the suspect, offering a $1,000 reward for significant tips leading to an arrest.
In a media report, Crime Stoppers said, “A skimmer is a device that reads and stores credit card numbers and PIN codes on a memory card. Criminals then use that information to make fraudulent purchases.”
The skimmer was most likely placed on the ATM half an hour before it was found, according to Crime Stoppers. Fortunately, when a technician found the skimmer, they were able to recover the memory card. As a result, no confidential information was stolen.
In order to avoid falling prey to a predatory ATM skimmer, the FBI suggests that people be aware of any unusual devices attached to machines that look loose or crooked. If there’s any tape, scratches or glue on the ATM machine, this should raise some red flags.
The FBI also advises people to cover the keypad with their other hand while plugging in PIN codes, as criminals often install secret cameras above the machine. It’s preferable to use ATMs located inside buildings as they tend to be safer, with less vulnerability to hackers.
If your card does not eject after finishing a transaction, the FBI says to contact the bank immediately.
If anyone has information about the suspect, they may contact the Santee Sheriff’s Station at (619) 956-4000.
Anonymous tips can be emailed or texted via www.sdcrimestoppers.org. Another option is to call Crime Stopper’s anonymous tip line at (888) 580-8477.
