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| An ATM at this Fifth Third Bank near Clark and Diversey was among those targeted by skimmers, police said. |
More than a dozen ATM skimming devices have been found in the city since late September, including locations in Lincoln Park and Lakeview, Chicago police said.
Skimmers are placed over ATM card slots and appear to be part of the actual machine. Criminals use the devices to secretly gather debit card numbers and passwords. Some of the devices found in Chicago included small cameras that captured images of the cardholder punching in their PIN, police said.
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| This FBI infographic details skimming scams. | FBI |
One skimmer was found on an ATM at Fifth Third Bank in the 600 block of West Diversey October 4. Others were recovered from Walgreens in the 1500 block of West Fullerton on September 26 and the Walgreens at in the 1600 block of West Belmont on October 2, police said.
Police encourage ATM users to inspect the machines, looking for any irregularities or loose parts, before using them. The card reader slot and PIN pad should not wiggle or have extra pieces visible.
“If there is any type of irregularity or issue in placing the card into the card slot, do not use the ATM,” a police alert warned.
Finally, investigators suggest covering your hand when you enter your PIN so hidden cameras cannot pick up your secret code.
In addition to the ATMs listed above, police said skimmers were found on machines at the following locations:
• Associated Bank, 5200 block of N. Central Ave on September 23, 2017
• 7-11, 10700 block of S. Ewing Ave on September 27, 2017
• Chase Bank, 5600 block of W. Montrose Ave on October 6, 2017
• Walgreens, 400 block of N. Michigan Ave on October 8, 2017
• Walgreens, 2300 block of W. Irving Park Rd on October 8, 2017
• Fifth Third Bank, 0-100 block of W. Division St on October 9, 2017
• Walgreens, 3100 block of W. Irving Park Rd on October 11, 2017
• Walgreens, 200 block of W. Madison St. on October 12, 2017
• Walgreens, 100 block of N. State St on October 12, 2017
• Walgreens, 0-100 block of W. Monroe on October 18, 2017
Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to call the Chicago Police Financial Crimes Unit at (312) 746-9661.
