ATM skimmer found in West End 7-Eleven

Long Beach police removed device that steals credit card information

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An electronic device that reads personal information from a debit or credit card’s magnetic strip was discovered on a 7-Eleven ATM in the West End on Wednesday morning, Long Beach Police Commissioner Michael Tangney said.

A man who entered the business, at the corner of Minnesota Avenue and West Beech Street, to use the ATM observed something suspicious about the machine and immediately called police, according to Tangney.

Detectives responded to the scene and determined that it was an illegal ATM skimming device, which they removed. The department’s technical assistance and resource unit is conducting an investigation, Tangney said.

“The store has video surveillance that we are looking at to see if we can determine who put the device there and get a description of the person,” he said.

According to The New York Times, the use of skimming devices to commit fraud is on the rise across the United States.

Although no money has yet to be reported stolen, Tangney advised customers to be cautious when using ATMs.

“You should always grab where the card gets inserted and give it a good tug, because that will alert you to a skimming device,” he said. “If it moves at all, immediately call the police.”

He added that a tiny camera above the keypad typically accompanies the skimming device, so that the person who planted it can view the personal identification number entered by the ATM user. Criminals then use the information to drain bank accounts.

“It’s not common in Long Beach, but it is common [on Long Island],” Tangney said. “It’s a pervasive enough problem that people should be aware of it.”

He said if anyone is concerned that their information may have been compromised to immediately contact their bank or financial institution and get a new card.

“Unfortunately, it’s an all too common crime and awareness is the key.”