[StBernard] Debit card users victimized by scam artists

[Westley Annis]

Debit card users victimized by scam artists

Published: Thursday, July 21, 2011, 6:30 PM     Updated: Thursday, July 21,
2011, 7:30 PM

 By The Times-Picayune 

St. Bernard and other local parishes are dealing with scammers who are using
devices known as skimmers to steal consumers' debit card PIN numbers and
create new cards to steal cash from ATM machines, Chief Deputy Sheriff James
Pohlmann said.

A customer was photographed using a debit card to purchase gasoline in
Covington in July 2008.

"It seems to be a regional problem,'' Pohlmann said.

People who use debit cards frequently should review their bank records for
fraudulent activity and notify a local law enforcement agency if they
discover it, he said.

There was a rash of fraudulent activity at ATM machines in the New Orleans
area over the weekend of July 15-17, Pohlmann said. U.S. Secret Service
agents and bank security officials are trying to pinpoint the locations
where debit card information is being stolen, such as gas stations.

Photos of some suspects have been found on ATM machines where fraudulent
activity happened, but no arrests have been made thus far, authorities said.

In St. Bernard, residents reported 14 incidents of unauthorized withdrawals
for a total of about $13,000, and other areas including New Orleans, Baton
Rouge, the north shore and communities in Mississippi are reporting similar
problems, Pohlmann said.

Skimmers identify the secret PIN numbers of consumers' debit cards after
they punch their PIN number into a gas pump or other payment system. A
scammer can then make a clone of the debit card and use it to make cash
withdrawals at ATM machines without the victim knowing their money has been
stolen, authorities said.