The segment reports the discovery of a credit‑card skimming device on a MetroCard vending machine at the Columbus Circle subway station (60th & Broadway). A hidden pinhole camera was also found above the machine, enabling thieves to capture PIN entries. MTA spokesman Adam Grossberg and NYPD officials urged anyone who used the machine to check their bank statements and contact their banks. The MTA conducted a citywide sweep of 468 ticket machines and found no additional skimmers, but is also investigating a separate skimmer found at the Baldwin LIRR station and two devices at a TD Ameritrade branch in Plainview, Long Island. Security expert Robert Siciliano explained that modern skimmers are more sophisticated, often Bluetooth‑enabled for real‑time data download, and are relatively easy to obtain. The segment concludes with consumer advice to cover the keypad when entering PINs, monitor accounts for unauthorized activity, and report suspicious devices.
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Hitting cameras and skimming devices, the big security threat when you use your credit and debit cards at machines that require you to punch in your PIN. Today, two more busy local spots have fallen victim to people looking to take your info and your money.
Dan Bowens joining us live from Columbus Circle where one of the skimming devices was discovered. Hi, Dan.
Dari and Steve, we've seen these skimming devices somewhat regularly on ATMs, but never before in a New York City subway station. This one was discovered here at 60th and Broadway, part of the Columbus Circle station, and tonight the NYPD MTA is urging anyone who may have taken this Downtown 1 train in recent days to double-check their statements.
It's always a concern to keep your credit card information safe.
It is the first skimming device ever discovered on a New York City MetroCard vending machine, and customers like Brielle aren't happy to hear about it.
Money's tight in this economy, and bank fraud, identity theft is real. So while I know my bank will handle it and give the money back, in the meantime, I need all my money.
A customer found the skimmer on a card reader of a South found one train platform at Columbus Circle and turned it in. Police later discovered a pinhole camera on a beam above the machine.
When they looked, they found that mounted on some equipment above here was a hidden camera with a pinhole camera so that people could— whoever had set this up would be able to look down and get the code number that you punch in with your credit card or your debit card.
Skimming devices are typically placed on machines and scoop information from a bank card's magnetic strip while a tiny camera overhead records your PIN information. MTA spokesman Adam Grossberg says people who may have used the machine at Columbus Circle should contact their bank.
We haven't received any reports of anyone being victimized through this. We hope that we caught this early, um, but that's part of the police investigation.
The agency did a sweep of all ticket machines at 468 stations citywide and didn't find any other devices, but the MTA is also investigating a skimmer found at the Baldwin station of the LIRR last week. Experts say though the skimming crime isn't new, evolving technology has made it more common.
Skimming devices today are much more sophisticated. They're easy to obtain. They work with Bluetooth technology, which allows the criminal to install it and to sit outside in his vehicle and to get the down— download the data in real time.
Now, it was also revealed today that there were two other skimming devices found at a TD Ameritrade bank in Plainview, Long Island. It's unclear if all of these cases are connected. Security experts say the best advice not to be victimized: do your best to cover the numbers on those machines when you type in your Your painting.
