Full Notification

PRESS RELEASE
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                        
Date: August 18, 2022
Case: #22001690
Contact:  Sergeant Scott Purvis (669) 253-4912
[email protected]

 
On August 10, 2022, a Morgan Hill Police Officer was dispatched to the Bank of America, located at 200 Cochrane Plaza, to investigate the report of a credit card skimmer that was found by an ATM technician.  The technician removed the circuit board from the ATM and conducted a closer inspection of the area.  During the inspection, the technician located a small camera embedded in a piece of rubber stripping which was affixed directly above the ATM keypad. 
 
Before using an ATM or gas pump, check for alignment issues between the card reader and the panel underneath it.  Skimmers are often placed on top of the reader, which causes it to stick out at an angle or cover arrows in a panel.  It is a good idea to compare the card reader to neighboring ATMs or gas pumps and look for any differences.
 
A physical inspection of a card reader and keypad can often reveal fraudulent devices.  Feel around the reader and try to wiggle it to see if it can easily come out of place.  Authentic card readers are robustly manufactured, meaning if any part of the card reader can easily move around, then it has probably been installed illegally.  If the buttons on the keypad are too hard to push, cease using that machine and try another machine.  Locating cameras may be difficult, as they are often well-concealed and only need an opening the size of a pinhole to successfully focus on the keypad.  Having this in mind, we ask that you cover the keypad with your free hand while inputting your pin. 
 
The Morgan Hill Police Department has investigated numerous similar cases this year; however, no suspects have been identified. 
 
This investigation is ongoing, and anyone with information regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Detective Tony Reis at (669) 253-4995 or email  [email protected].
 
 
Additionally, the information can be given anonymously at https://www.morgan-hill.ca.gov/FormCenter/Police-14/Morgan-Hill-Crime-Stoppers-88 or 1-800-222-TIPS.