'Skimming' Device Found on ATM at Chase Bank

Elmhurst police reported that a phony card swiper with an electronic transmitting device was found on an ATM machine at Chase Bank, 534 W. St. Charles Road.

Police did not indicate whether the device was found on the indoor or outdoor ATM, but the report says the device was placed between 5 p.m. Aug. 16 and 4:47 p.m. Aug. 21.

An employee of a company that repairs ATM machines was contacted by Chase because one of the branch's ATMs was jammed. The employee was fixing the jam Sunday afternoon when he noticed the insert for the card swiper appeared shiny. Upon further investigation, he discovered a false "receipt plate" with a transmitting device attached to the back.

The phony card swiper is used to "skim" bank information from a card's magnetic strip. Once thieves skim the information, it can be transmitted wirelessly to others waiting nearby.

The employee removed the items from the Chase ATM. Police reported they have no suspects at this time.

"There was a device found at the ATM at that branch, it was taken off and a police report was filed," Chase spokesman Christine Holevas confirmed Monday. "We have since looked at our data from customers and we have not seen any incidents of fraud. We obviously will continue to monitor (the data). We have a very sophisticated monitoring system."

Holevas said that if a Chase customer suspects any type of fraud, they should call the number on the back of their card. A Chase representative will refer them to the fraud department and a new card will be issued. 

Elmhurst police have not responded to a request for more information, but the FBI Web site includes information on how skimming occurs and what can be done to avoid being skimmed.