In a Channel 7 News segment, investigative reporter Jonathan Hall and identity‑theft expert Robert Siciliano expose a growing threat: counterfeit or repurposed ATMs used to skim credit‑card data and capture PINs. Siciliano purchased a used ATM for $750 from Craigslist, discovering it still stored over 1,000 card numbers from its previous owner. With the cooperation of Wakefield police, the team installed a hidden pinhole camera and skimming hardware inside the machine to demonstrate how criminals can capture PINs and card data in real time. The report shows how anyone can buy an ATM online, that Massachusetts has no rules governing who may own or place an ATM, and that only non‑bank ATMs require a license—yet enforcement is lax. The segment includes on‑scene interactions with unsuspecting users, expert commentary on the ease of theft, and practical advice for the public: use bank‑owned ATMs, look for suspicious attachments, and monitor statements for unauthorized activity. The piece highlights the financial risk of counterfeit ATMs and calls for stronger regulation and consumer vigilance.
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Would you fall for a counterfeit cash machine? Tonight at 11.
Coming up, crooks are cashing in with counterfeit ATM machines. How to make sure you don't fall for a fake. Swipe and steal. Are crooks cashing in on your personal information with fake ATMs? 7 uncovered.
The night team starts now.
Could you tell if the ATM you're using is a fake? We'll show you how to identify a counterfeit cash machine so crooks don't swipe your PIN and cash Cash. Are you banking on trouble at the ATM? Tonight, 7 News has found crooks may be stealing your information with every swipe. Well, these days ATMs are pretty much everywhere, and it's what many people use for their regular banking.
Who would have known? Our investigation finds that anyone can buy one, and crooks are using them to steal your information. 7's Jonathan Hall covers how to spot a counterfeit cash machine.
Take a look at this ATM. It's right there on the sidewalk, right next to a to a restaurant, and it looks like any other one you might see, right? But be warned, if you try to use this machine, you won't get any cash and you might get your identity stolen. That's because this ATM is not legitimate. It's a used ATM that was sold online.
The ATM itself cost me $750 off of Craigslist. It was, uh, from a bar that was closing down.
Security expert Robert Siciliano bought the machine as research for his job, and when he got it home, he made a frightening find. This device was full of stored data never deleted by the former owner. It still contained the credit card and debit card numbers of the people who used it. Over 1,000 numbers in 5 months in that machine. 7 News found dozens of ATMs, both new and used, for sale online. And what's more shocking, Massachusetts has no rules about who can buy them or where they can be set up. So with the permission of the Wakefield Police, we set up this ATM to see just how easy it is to get people to use it. Our expert outfitted the ATM with extra equipment that can steal a person's financial information and installed a tiny hidden camera behind the mirror.
That pinhole camera then takes a picture of your PINs as you're punching it in.
It didn't take long before people approached, like this couple and this woman, looking to get some cash. They were about to swipe their cards, but we stopped them. Excuse me, ma'am. Hi, I'm from Channel 7. We explained the situation and they were stunned.
That's crazy.
I think that's pretty, uh, pretty awful.
Take a look under here with me. Can you see that camera?
Oh my God, yeah, I do see it.
Does it seem kind of out of the ordinary having it sit here on the sidewalk? ATMs are everywhere, why not? In many cases, before a person even realizes their financial info has been stolen, the crooks are cashing in.
You can empty their bank accounts overnight.
In Massachusetts, the Division of Banks is responsible for ATMs, and there are no regulations about who can buy one.
In terms of purchasing an ATM, you know, I suppose anyone can buy an ATM.
But the Commonwealth does require that any non-bank ATM be licensed before it can legally dispense cash.
We have very stringent requirements that we have people go through. We do thorough background checks for criminal record histories. Um, we investigate the companies who are, uh, who would hold the license to the ATM.
To keep your finances safe, the experts recommend that you always try to use a reputable bank's ATM. Look for anything suspicious on any ATM you use, like something attached to the front. Or something that looks removable.
You can't just walk up to any ATM machine, put your card in, and expect that thing's going to be legit.
And always check your bank and credit card statements for any unusual activity. That way crooks can't cash in on your money. Jonathan Hall, 7 News.
A car burst into flames overnight in Somerville. It was found abandoned near 93 North. Police say the car was reported stolen from Hyde Park. Firefighters were able to put out the fire
