Photos Released Of Suspects In Medford ATM Skimming
By Tim Jimenez, Todd Quinones
MEDFORD, N.J. (CBS) —Police in Medford, New Jersey have released photographs of two men they say installed a device to steal private information off customers' ATM cards at a local bank.
Police issued a warning to ATM users on Tuesday about a skimming machine found at the TD Bank on Stokes Road.
Skimming machines are undetectable by the average ATM user (see related story). Medford Police Chief Richard Meder says there was one installed, and then removed at the TD Bank over a 24-hour period in December. He says complaints started coming in over the weekend.
"(We) began to get a lot of reports that residents of our town had their bank accounts fraudulently utilized," he says.
The skimming device allows thieves to obtain users ATM card information on the magnetic strip.
"Times are tough now, but you just can't steal money from people," says victim Russell Pence. "I had no money and you know how am I supposed to survive?"
Chief Meder says victims had up to a $1,000 taken from their accounts and he's worried there could be many more victims.
"In our town, only about 15 people have come forward," he says. "We believe as many as several hundred card swipes may have occurred on this machine."
Police are warning people who use the TD Bank on Stokes Road and other banks in the area to double-check their accounts.
"Obviously, not everybody checks their account every day, maybe sometimes not even weekly," Meder says, "and the longer they wait, the worse that this could be."
In a statement, TD Bank says it is contacting customers who may have been affected and that "…we sincerely regret any inconvenience this incident has caused."
Medford police are working with federal authorities to track down the two suspects.
Anyone with information or anyone who feels like they could have been a victim is urged to call Medford township police at 609-654-7511.
