Following Discovery And Removal Of A Credit Card Skimmer At Atm : Garden Grove Police Provide Safety Advice

Last week, the Garden Grove Police Department arrested two men. For installing a credit card skimming device on a bank ATM. Police are now warning the public to look for signs that thieves may have compromised a credit card reader.

Police Warn: Suspected Skimmer Operators

Sgt. Willie Holloway told KTLA that the two suspected skimmer operators. They are 22-year-old transient Remus Virtanen and 55-year-old Los Angeles resident Ion Ionita. They were arrested on Sept. 22. Suspects caught for installing a skimmer at a Bank of America in the 13900 block of Brookhurst Street.

They face charges of grand theft and attempted theft with a skimming device. Police are looking into whether they are linked to any other similar incidents.

After an ATM monitoring service noticed the men installing the devices, they notified the police. After apprehending the men, a “familiar with the devices” detective returned to the ATM. Discovered the skimmer, according to Holloway.

Detective Discovered a Bluetooth Skimmer

According to Holloway. The detective discovered a Bluetooth skimmer in the card slot. A disguised camera and SD card to record users’ PINs as they accessed the ATM.

Police offered several tips for protecting your finances from card skimmers. The Holloway detective described it as “difficult to spot because they are frequently inserted into the card reader.”

“If the card does not insert smoothly or becomes stuck while ejecting, this could indicate the presence of a skimmer,” Holloway wrote in an email.

“In addition, people should be looking for items. Such as small cameras hidden around the ATM could record their activity.” ATM surveillance cameras are evident by design. Ut skimmer cameras will be externally mounted and more challenging to detect.”

While entering, use one hand to cover the other your PIN to protect yourself from cameras.

Shoulder surfing, or someone looking over your shoulder, is also a concern, as cameras with audio capabilities will record your PIN if you say it out loud.