BBB Stresses Vigilance After Card ‘Skimmers’ Found on Chicago ATMs

Take a second and do a little detective work next time before using your credit card on any suspicious-looking ATM.

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That’s the message the Chicago Police Department is telling residents after more than a dozen credit card “skimming” devices were found over the past month on ATMs across the city. The devices, which are placed over and resemble normal card reader slots, capture a user’s information once they swipe their card and sends the data to the scammer.

“I’ve been doing this for 30 years and the only way to put scams out of business is to not give them your business. Unfortunately a lot of times consumers aren’t even aware, and it’s working,” said Steve Bernas, president and CEO of the Chicago branch of the Better Business Bureau.

Eight of the 13 skimming devices the CPD discovered were at Walgreens ATMs. Two others were found at Fifth Third Bank ATMs and one each was found at a Chase Bank, Associated Bank and 7-Eleven. In addition to the devices themselves, police said the suspect also installed cameras on some machines to record PIN numbers as they were entered.

All of the devices were found between late September and last week, according to police. Earlier this summer, Bernas’ office reported on similar devices found on ATMs in Aurora, Yorkville and Batavia.


When examining the ATM before use, authorities suggest pulling on both the card slot and the keypad itself – if either is loose, it could be a sign a skimmer or pad overlay has been installed. You should also watch out for any pin holes placed in sight of the keypad (where a camera could be installed) and cover the pad while entering your PIN.

“What I would do as a consumer is take a look at the machine and see if anything is out of the ordinary and I would twist, touch, turn the card insert area to see if it falls off because these are put on pretty easily with a little tape or a little glue,” Bernas said. “They’re not made to be placed permanently, sometimes they just slip on.”

Credit card skimming device (Better Business Bureau)Credit card skimming device (Better Business Bureau)

The BBB also recommends using a bank ATM rather than stand-alone ATMs installed at other public places, and checking your bank statements more than once a month.

If you do notice fraudulent withdrawals from your account, contact your bank immediately. You’ll get your money back, Bernas said, but it’s a frustration for consumers and it can take time to be compensated for lost funds.

“Unfortunately the scammers and con artists always go where the money is at, and that’s where the money is at, and they’re making money at it so they’re not going to stop until the technology is in place to prevent this,” Bernas said. “I think consumers need to be vigilant, that’s the most important thing.”

Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to contact the CPD’s Financial Crimes Unit at 312-746-9661.

Follow Matt Masterson on Twitter: @ByMattMasterson


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