Abington Police Department discovers multiple skimming device at ATMs in township

Residents of Abington and Cheltenham should double check their banking statements this morning.

The Abington Township Police Department reported that it recovered multiple credit card skimming devices that had been installed on ATM machines within the township. 

"We have three that we know of, two in Abington and one in a neighboring jurisdiction as of right now, said Abington Detective Elizabeth Cartwright in an interview.

"I definitely believe they're connected and there could be potentially more cases out there," Cartwright added.

According to reports, the devices were found on ATMs at two different 7-Eleven convenience stores on Easton Road in Abington and Cheltenham townships. A third device was found on a device in an Abington grocery store.

According to police, the suspects did not come back to the locations to recover the skimming devices, meaning police do not believe anyone has had their information compromised yet, but residents should be aware. 

Criminals are able obtain pin numbers from skimming devices by recording the information from the magnetic strip on debit cards and subsequently create a duplicate card. The criminals also install a camera, which records when someone enters their pin number. 

The Abington Police Department published tips on how to identify skimming machines:

• Loose or Misaligned Parts: Inspect the card reader for anything that seems loose, crooked, or out of place. Skimmers may be attached over the original reader.
• Unusual Attachments: Check for extra devices, such as unusual cameras or keypad overlays. Some criminals use these to capture PIN numbers.
• Tampered Keypads: If the keypad feels different (loose or sticky), or if there are any signs of tampering, avoid using the machine.
• Look for Wires or Cameras: Skimming devices often include hidden cameras to record your PIN entry. Inspect around the ATM or pump for any suspicious items like tiny lenses or wires.
• Difficult Insertion: If your card doesn't go in smoothly, or the machine feels unusual when you insert your card, it may be compromised.

To stay safe, Abington Police Department recommends to always inspect the machine, cover your pin, use trusted locations, check your statements regularly, and report suspicious activity.