Rockland Police Investigating String of ATM Skimming Incidents

Police in Rockland County believe an organized effort is under way in at least two towns to illegally obtain personal banking information through the use of various electronic devices planted at automatic teller machines.

Incidents in Ramapo and Clarkstown have sparked a joint investigation involving two town police departments and the Rockland County Intelligence Center, according to William Barbera, chief of the Patrol Division.

"It looks like the same people are involved in these incidents," said Barbera.

Police are urging ATM users to examine the machines for anything unusual or suspicious before accessing accounts.

Westchester County Police announced five arrests after in November. Harrison police charged two men they say were and other electronics from an ATM on Halstead Avenue in August 2011.

Police said after both incidents that they believe the ATM skimmings are part of larger criminal operations.

In Nanuet, said a person using a Chase Bank ATM on Route 59 on Saturday discovered a hidden camera. A piece of moulding on the machine came loose during the transaction, revealing the small camera.

Police said that in Ramapo, a device was discovered illegally attached to an ATM machine. Such devices and hidden cameras are designed to illicitly obtain account information and personal identification numbers to access those accounts and withdraw cash.

In New City, police said a TD Bank customer reported on Monday that $600 had been withdrawn from an account through an unauthorized transaction. Police said an investigation revealed the cash was taken through a withdrawal made at the TD Bank ATM on Main Street.

If you see something that looks suspicious at an ATM machine, police urge ATM users to immediately contact bank personnel or to call police with the information.