In a Fox 25 news segment, reporters Vanessa and Erica Ritchie discuss a recent surge in ATM skimming incidents in the Newton/Attleboro area, linking the increase to the continued use of magnetic‑stripe cards as chip‑and‑PIN cards are rolled out. Security expert Robert Siciliano demonstrates how a skimmer fits over the card slot and reads data from the magnetic strip, and explains that thieves also capture PINs with hidden cameras. The segment emphasizes that as long as magnetic‑stripe cards remain in circulation, skimming will persist, and advises consumers to protect themselves by covering the keypad when entering their PIN, monitoring accounts daily, and using alerts.
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Middleboro police say devices like this may have been used to steal credit card information from two local convenience store ATMs. The skimmer devices give thieves access to customers' financial accounts. These devices have been found all over lately, and we've now found out why. All new at 10, Fox 25's Erica Ritchie live in Newton now with ways people can protect themselves. Erica?
Well, Vanessa, skim scams are nothing new. We've been hearing about them for more than a decade, and now we're hearing about them even more. We recently told you about gas pump skimmers at stations in Hingham, Westwood, and Bridgewater. Now, as you just mentioned, those ATM skimmers were found in Attleboro over the weekend, and security experts tell me tonight it's only going to get worse.
There is a gold rush right now.
That means every time you swipe your card and key your PIN, you increase your chances of getting your personal information swiped too.
ATM skimming is definitely on the rise.
Hotspot Shield security expert Robert Siciliano says the new chip cards are the reason why. They're designed to phase out the magnetic strip cards. Those strips are how skimming devices snag your information.
This skimming device fits over the card slot just like this. You slide your card through and it reads the information off of the back of the magnetic strip.
So thieves are trying to cash in while they still can.
As long as the chip and PIN cards should be being deployed and the magnetic stripe cards are on their way out, the ATM skimming will continue to rise.
But the information the skimmer collects is no good without the PIN number attached to it. Thieves will often have a hidden camera on the machine to record that code. But if you keep that private, Siciliano says, your personal information will likely stay that way too.
Probably the most effective way to thwart ATM skimming is always to cover up the keypad with your other hand as you're entering your PIN code.
Now even after that, if your information is still stolen, you have to know that time is of the essence. Federal law only allows 2 business days for you to report that debit card fraud in order for the bank to necessarily have to act. So Siciliano suggests making sure you monitor your accounts daily and then go ahead and sign up for text and email alerts so that you're made aware of any transaction that's made. Live in Newton tonight, Erica Ricci, Fox 25 News.
