Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Gavin Newsom’s Redistricting Plan Is on Its Way to Voters. What You Need to Know

14 hours ago

CARB Executive Leader Rips Trump’s EPA for Seeking to Kill Proven Climate Science

17 hours ago

California Lawmakers Advance First Two Bills in Democrats’ Redistricting Plan

17 hours ago

Judge Rules Alina Habba Was Unlawfully Appointed as US Attorney in New Jersey

17 hours ago

Trump Say He Will Go on Patrol in Washington With Police, Military

20 hours ago

Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Latest Role Is Social Media Troll

22 hours ago

California Supreme Court Paves the Way for Democrats’ Redistricting Plan

23 hours ago

Why COVID Is Spreading Again This Summer

2 days ago

Most Americans Believe Countries Should Recognize Palestinian State, Reuters/Ipsos Poll Finds

2 days ago
ATM Scammers Using Latest High-Tech Tools in Fresno
Liz-Juarez
By Liz Juarez
Published 3 years ago on
March 22, 2022

Share

ATM scammers are back in Fresno, outwitting banks, convenience store owners, and customers with sophisticated new technology.

A video showing an overlay pad on a card reader at the 7-Eleven at Golden State and Shaw Avenue in Fresno has gone viral on social media, and the Fresno Police Department says it is aware of a few incidents of this happening.

“We have not received any increase in the use of skimmers recently, but they have always been a threat,” said Fresno Police Department spokesman Lt. Bill Dooley.

Viral Video Shows Device Stealing Customers’ Information in Fresno Convenience Store

Sgt. Martin VanOverbeek of the Financial Crimes Unit with Fresno PD said the overlay device over the ATM machine at the 7-Eleven is one of the most sophisticated he’s seen.

“It is designed to capture not only the card info but also the key inputs of a pin number,” said VanOverbeek. “Some have the ability to store the info and connect via Bluetooth while parked outside to download the skimmed card info.”

Joseph Harris, who shared the video on Facebook, has since shared another video that someone shared with him on messenger showing another overlay device on a card reader at a convenience store at Blackstone and Sierra avenues in Fresno.

Convenience Store Owners Unaware of Skimmers: Police

The video first went viral on Facebook and has since been shared on Twitter and Instagram. Many commenters put the blame on the convenience store owners — hinting that they could be in on the skimming heists.

However, VanOverbeek says that is not the case.

“Despite some of the negative comments on the business/employees, it is highly unlikely they knew the device was present,” said VanOverbeek.

“What has happened in the past is the clerk is distracted by another suspect asking to see something behind the counter or in the back of the store while the overlay is installed on a functional Point Of Sale device by a second suspect.”

In fact, a surveillance video of someone installing an overlay device was caught on camera last year at the Food Shop convenience store by the Valero off of Highway 41 and Jensen Avenue.

FOX26 News shared a  video showing how fast crooks can place these overlay devices on top of card readers.

Crooks Also Skimming Bank ATMs in Reedley

In another related incident reported by Fox 26 news, card skimmers were discovered five weeks ago at Bank of America in Reedley.

These card skimmers are paper-thin, inserted in the same slot where you slide in your card.

Sgt. Gary Kincaid of the Reedley Police Department is heading the investigation and says most people have no idea that these card skimmers are in there because they are well hidden.

“As you insert your card in, that’s gonna read the account number and those things,” said Kincaid.

Crooks attach a metal piece to the top or sides of the ATM machine that holds a camera inside with a memory card to record a person’s personal pin code.

“You can’t see them, they have little pinholes, and they look like they are part of the trim of the ATM machine,” said Kincaid.

Kincaid doesn’t know what the total losses are but says the thieves have tapped into accounts and also used the info to start new credit card accounts.

Reedley PD has made one arrest, and the suspect faces felony charges.

“I think it’s a well-versed group that has a lot of people taking part in this,” said Kincaid.

How to Protect Yourself When Using an ATM or Pin Pad

For Banking:

  • Hide your pin code.
  • Go inside the bank and use a teller.

For Purchasing:

  • Look at the Point of Sale device and even pull on it to see if an overlay is installed.
  • Always cover your pin number when entering it.
  • When possible, use the ATM inside of banks during business hours.
  • Set up account text and email alerts to regularly notify you when purchases are made over a threshold dollar amount.
  • Monitor your credit/debit activity online to confirm/verify charges.
  • If fraud is suspected, only call the number on the back of the card. Googling the number could connect you with scammers.
  • If fraud occurs, file a police report.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Gavin Newsom’s Redistricting Plan Is on Its Way to Voters. What You Need to Know

DON'T MISS

Singer Lil Nas X Arrested After Charging at Officers, Police Say

DON'T MISS

Fresno Doctor on Bubonic Plague: It’s Rare But It’s Out There. Prevention Is Key

DON'T MISS

My Friend Joseph Castro, Former Fresno State President and CSU Chancellor, Is Receiving Hospice Care

DON'T MISS

More Americans Applying for Refugee Status in Canada, Data Shows

DON'T MISS

US Supreme Court Lets Trump Cut Diversity-Related NIH Grants

DON'T MISS

CARB Executive Leader Rips Trump’s EPA for Seeking to Kill Proven Climate Science

DON'T MISS

California Lawmakers Advance First Two Bills in Democrats’ Redistricting Plan

DON'T MISS

US State Department Says Continuous Vetting Covers 55 Million Visa Holders

DON'T MISS

Judge Rules Alina Habba Was Unlawfully Appointed as US Attorney in New Jersey

UP NEXT

Singer Lil Nas X Arrested After Charging at Officers, Police Say

UP NEXT

Fresno Doctor on Bubonic Plague: It’s Rare But It’s Out There. Prevention Is Key

UP NEXT

My Friend Joseph Castro, Former Fresno State President and CSU Chancellor, Is Receiving Hospice Care

UP NEXT

More Americans Applying for Refugee Status in Canada, Data Shows

UP NEXT

US Supreme Court Lets Trump Cut Diversity-Related NIH Grants

UP NEXT

CARB Executive Leader Rips Trump’s EPA for Seeking to Kill Proven Climate Science

UP NEXT

California Lawmakers Advance First Two Bills in Democrats’ Redistricting Plan

UP NEXT

US State Department Says Continuous Vetting Covers 55 Million Visa Holders

UP NEXT

Judge Rules Alina Habba Was Unlawfully Appointed as US Attorney in New Jersey

UP NEXT

Fresno Man with Prior Felonies Charged with Meth, Fentanyl, and Ammunition

My Friend Joseph Castro, Former Fresno State President and CSU Chancellor, Is Receiving Hospice Care

16 hours ago

More Americans Applying for Refugee Status in Canada, Data Shows

16 hours ago

US Supreme Court Lets Trump Cut Diversity-Related NIH Grants

16 hours ago

CARB Executive Leader Rips Trump’s EPA for Seeking to Kill Proven Climate Science

17 hours ago

California Lawmakers Advance First Two Bills in Democrats’ Redistricting Plan

17 hours ago

US State Department Says Continuous Vetting Covers 55 Million Visa Holders

17 hours ago

Judge Rules Alina Habba Was Unlawfully Appointed as US Attorney in New Jersey

17 hours ago

Fresno Man with Prior Felonies Charged with Meth, Fentanyl, and Ammunition

18 hours ago

Fresno Goes to Court to Fight Trump Rule Stripping Grants Over Woke Language

18 hours ago

‘Where’s the Humanity in This?’ Hear ICE Detainee Describe Being Ripped From Family

18 hours ago

Gavin Newsom’s Redistricting Plan Is on Its Way to Voters. What You Need to Know

This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan to counter President Donald Trump...

14 hours ago

California State Sen. Christopher Cabaldon
14 hours ago

Gavin Newsom’s Redistricting Plan Is on Its Way to Voters. What You Need to Know

Lil Nas X attends the Vanity Fair Oscars party after the 97th Academy Awards, in Beverly Hills, California, U.S., March 2, 2025. (Reuters File)
14 hours ago

Singer Lil Nas X Arrested After Charging at Officers, Police Say

bubonic plague squirrel
15 hours ago

Fresno Doctor on Bubonic Plague: It’s Rare But It’s Out There. Prevention Is Key

Joseph Castro (right), former Fresno State president and CSU chancellor, is receiving hospice care, with his family requesting privacy and prayers while community members can share messages of support online. (Special to GV Wire)
16 hours ago

My Friend Joseph Castro, Former Fresno State President and CSU Chancellor, Is Receiving Hospice Care

Flags fly above the Peace Arch, at a Canada-U.S. border crossing known as the Peace Arch Border Crossing in Blaine, Washington, U.S. April 2, 2025. (Reuters File)
16 hours ago

More Americans Applying for Refugee Status in Canada, Data Shows

General view shows The United States Supreme Court, in Washington, U.S., February 8, 2024. (Reuters File)
16 hours ago

US Supreme Court Lets Trump Cut Diversity-Related NIH Grants

Dr. Steven Cliff
17 hours ago

CARB Executive Leader Rips Trump’s EPA for Seeking to Kill Proven Climate Science

California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks to the press after a hearing on the use of National Guard troops amid federal immigration sweeps, at the California State Supreme Court in San Francisco, California, U.S., June 12, 2025. (Reuters FIle)
17 hours ago

California Lawmakers Advance First Two Bills in Democrats’ Redistricting Plan

Search

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Send this to a friend