VERO BEACH — A crime in Port St. Lucie led authorities to Vero Beach with a similar case of fraudulent behavior involving ATMs at Publix stores.
On Monday, Port St. Lucie Police went to the Publix located at 9100 S. U.S. Highway 1, Port St. Lucie, in response to a report of a damaged ATM.
Police discovered that unknown suspects had drilled a hole in the bottom of the ATM card reader, according to authorities, which would give someone access to the working components of the machine. Police did not locate any foreign device inside the machine, but began to further investigate the unusual damage.
Port St. Lucie Police Detectives received information about other ATMs that had been tampered with in the same manner. With the help of Publix’s Security team, detectives were able to obtain ATM surveillance videos from Vero Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, and Boynton Beach.
The surveillance videos show two white males attempting to install what is believed to be debit card skimming devices, which are designed to capture unsuspecting ATM user’s information, according to police.
After an unknown amount of time has passed, the suspects return to the ATM and retrieve the skimming device containing ATM users’ card information.
Port St. Lucie Police are asking citizens to take the extra time and check the ATM machines that they use for any alterations or signs of tampering.
Whenever using any ATM, examine the card slot and overall appearance to the control panel. Go to another location if anything looks out of place, damaged, or possibly has been tampered with.
If the ATM appears to have been tampered with, immediately contact local law enforcement.