NEW YORK — New York police are warning of a type of ATM scam in the five boroughs where seniors are being targeted.
According to the uniform, the scam begins when the suspects approach the elderly and distract them by first showing kindness.
So how does the scam work?
It’s quite simple – the targeted victim will go to an ATM lobby and insert their bank card. After entering your PIN, a stranger will approach you from behind and place a few dollar bills on the floor. The scammer will then tap them on the shoulder, informing them that they apparently dropped some money.
When the victim goes downstairs to collect the money, the scammer breaks into the ATM and changes the bank card to a dummy card, New York police said. They will then take that card and use it elsewhere, stealing the victim’s money.
Cases of victims
“I have never been scammed in my life. I consider myself a very young 75-year-old man. I never thought something like this could happen to me,” victim Mark said. of the scam.
Mark is far from alone and spoke to our sister network NBC New York by telephone in order to warn the other inhabitants of the city.
“I put my card in and typed in my code. Just as I typed in my code I get a tap on my left side, I turn around, there’s a guy standing there, he point down and say it’s your money,” Mark said.
So far, there have been more than 40 victims, according to the police.
How to protect yourself
The NYPD tries to spread the word about the plan, so people start watching each other while at the ATM. The 19th arrondissement has tried to sound the alarm, even creating a public service announcement to show how the crime is unfolding.
NYPD Assistant Inspector Bill Gallagher says crime squads are professionals who target elderly victims.
“It’s your grandfather, your grandmother, someone on a fixed income, and they’re literally coming in and taking that money, and they’re specifically targeting the most vulnerable people in our city,” Gallagher said.
NYPD Assistant Inspector Brian Eng said “highly organized and coordinated” teams were traveling to the city from other parts of the country only to target older New Yorkers.
“Stán well engrasados as a NASCAR team. Communicating through earphones or Bluetooth devices with telephones. Saben exactamente cuál es su función”, dijo Eng. “El distractor o el intercambiador de tarjetas o el observador porque necesitan los números PIN de la victim”.
Eng added that the department saw groups of 2 to 4 people, made up of both men and women.
“It’s absolutely infuriating and we really need the public’s help. We want to catch these people as soon as possible because they are inflicting tremendous trauma on the most vulnerable people in our city,” Gallagher said.
Wanted suspects swindled thousands of dollars from unsuspecting victims like Mark, the victims claim.
“They took $1,700 out of my ATM. And believe it or not, $7,000 straight from the ATM,” Mark said. “I felt extremely vulnerable. Boy, if this could happen to me, it could happen to anyone.”
Police said the scam has increased in recent weeks and usually occurs during daylight hours. Anyone with information about the scheme is asked to contact the police.