‘Skim’ device found on South Jersey ATM

Weissman advised that bank customers be vigilant and protect themselves from fraud by covering the keypad when entering PIN numbers; carefully reviewing bank statements for unauthorized activity; and immediately reporting suspicious activity to TD Bank at 888-751-9000cq, local law enforcement or to the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-FTC-HELPcq.

According to the FBI, skimming devices are often favored by “Eurasian crime gangs” and are installed for only a short time. The skimmers duplicate information from a bankcard’s magnetic strip.

Armed with the information, the criminals can then make new ATM cards that allow them to access the accounts.

The devices are often made from plastic or plaster to blend into the ATM’s shell and are often installed directly over the legitimate card reader.

When an unaware customer inserts an ATM card into the phony reader, their account info is swiped and stored on a small attached laptop, cellphone or sent wirelessly to the criminals waiting nearby.

Skimming can also involve a hidden camera installed nearby to record PINs, the FBI said.