ATM Skimmer Found At Tampa Bank

TAMPA, FL — Area residents who used a GTE Federal Credit Union ATM in downtown Tampa might want to check their bank receipts. A skimmer was recently found on the bank's ATM, and now police are asking for help identifying the two suspects believed to be involved.

The skimmer was reportedly placed at the 601 N. Ashley Drive bank around 9:23 p.m. Jan. 21. A customer happened to spot the device eight days later, an email from Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay say. That discovery led to a review of the bank’s surveillance cameras. Photos of the suspects have since been released.

Anyone who recognizes the men in the photos is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS. The organization is offering a reward of up to $3,000 for information that leads to an arrest in the case.

Skimmers are high-tech devices meant to capture a person’s debit or credit card information when a card is swiped at an ATM or gas pump. Skimmers are generally hidden to make them difficult for consumers to spot.

At gas pumps, local law enforcement suggests that residents can protect themselves from credit card skimmers by taking the following actions:

• Only use gas pumps that require ZIP code entry because that provides another layer of protection against skimmers
• Check to make sure the gas pump dispenser cabinet is closed and has not been tampered with
• Feel the slot where a card is inserted to make sure it is not loose
• Use a pump as close to the front of the store as possible
• If using a debit card, run it as credit instead of using the PIN number

For more information about how to safeguard against credit card fraud, visit the Federal Trade Commission online.

Surveillance photos courtesy of Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay