Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Corporation for Public Broadcasting to Close After Funding Cut, in Blow to Local Media

13 hours ago

‘Freedom Week’: California Gun Owners Rush to Buy Ammo After Court Ruling

15 hours ago

Wall Street Selloff Sparked by Trump Tariffs, Amazon Results, Weak Payrolls

16 hours ago

US Construction Spending Extends Decline in June

16 hours ago

Global Shares in Red After US Jobs Data, Trump’s Tariff Salvo

16 hours ago

Construction of $200M Trump Ballroom at the White House to Begin in September

1 day ago

US Senate Committee Backs $1 Billion for Ukraine in Pentagon Spending Bill

2 days ago

Trump Says Mexico Trade Deal Extended for 90 Days

2 days ago

Fresno Unified Trustee Susan Wittrup Responds to $162,000 Payout

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

US Judges Speak Out About Death Threats, ‘Swattings,’ and ‘Pizza Doxings’

DON'T MISS

It’s Raining Cash for Some 2026 Fresno City Council Hopefuls

DON'T MISS

Fresno County Finds E. Coli at Avocado Lake. Don’t Swim There

DON'T MISS

Trump Fires US Labor Department’s Statistical Leader After Weaker Than Expected Jobs Report

DON'T MISS

Corporation for Public Broadcasting to Close After Funding Cut, in Blow to Local Media

DON'T MISS

Trump Eyes Bringing Azerbaijan, Central Asian Nations Into Abraham Accords, Sources Say

DON'T MISS

Farmers in West Fresno County to Consider 200% Groundwater Pumping Fee Hike

DON'T MISS

Trump Orders Nuclear Submarines Moved Near Russia

DON'T MISS

Fresno Councilmember Vang Accused of Conflict of Interest in Budget Vote

DON'T MISS

Ghislaine Maxwell Moved From Florida Prison to Lower-Security Facility

UP NEXT

Fresno County Finds E. Coli at Avocado Lake. Don’t Swim There

UP NEXT

Trump Fires US Labor Department’s Statistical Leader After Weaker Than Expected Jobs Report

UP NEXT

Corporation for Public Broadcasting to Close After Funding Cut, in Blow to Local Media

UP NEXT

Trump Eyes Bringing Azerbaijan, Central Asian Nations Into Abraham Accords, Sources Say

UP NEXT

Farmers in West Fresno County to Consider 200% Groundwater Pumping Fee Hike

UP NEXT

Trump Orders Nuclear Submarines Moved Near Russia

UP NEXT

Fresno Councilmember Vang Accused of Conflict of Interest in Budget Vote

UP NEXT

Ghislaine Maxwell Moved From Florida Prison to Lower-Security Facility

UP NEXT

Trump Escalates Trade War With Canada Following Palestine Stance

UP NEXT

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Scott Oscar Whitehead

Trump Fires US Labor Department’s Statistical Leader After Weaker Than Expected Jobs Report

12 hours ago

Corporation for Public Broadcasting to Close After Funding Cut, in Blow to Local Media

13 hours ago

Trump Eyes Bringing Azerbaijan, Central Asian Nations Into Abraham Accords, Sources Say

13 hours ago

Farmers in West Fresno County to Consider 200% Groundwater Pumping Fee Hike

13 hours ago

Trump Orders Nuclear Submarines Moved Near Russia

14 hours ago

Fresno Councilmember Vang Accused of Conflict of Interest in Budget Vote

14 hours ago

Ghislaine Maxwell Moved From Florida Prison to Lower-Security Facility

14 hours ago

Trump Escalates Trade War With Canada Following Palestine Stance

14 hours ago

Valley Crime Stoppers’ Most Wanted Person of the Day: Scott Oscar Whitehead

15 hours ago

‘Freedom Week’: California Gun Owners Rush to Buy Ammo After Court Ruling

15 hours ago

US Judges Speak Out About Death Threats, ‘Swattings,’ and ‘Pizza Doxings’

United States judges spoke out against the unprecedented surge in violence and disturbing threats made against members of the judicial branc...

10 hours ago

United States judges speaking about receiving violent threats over rulings
10 hours ago

US Judges Speak Out About Death Threats, ‘Swattings,’ and ‘Pizza Doxings’

Fresno city hall with council campaign finance money
11 hours ago

It’s Raining Cash for Some 2026 Fresno City Council Hopefuls

E. coli identified at avocado lake
12 hours ago

Fresno County Finds E. Coli at Avocado Lake. Don’t Swim There

President Donald Trump speaks at a dinner with Republican Senators, in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 18, 2025. (Reuters File)
12 hours ago

Trump Fires US Labor Department’s Statistical Leader After Weaker Than Expected Jobs Report

Breaking News from Reuters
13 hours ago

Corporation for Public Broadcasting to Close After Funding Cut, in Blow to Local Media

President Donald Trump delivers remarks in the Roosevelt Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 31, 2025. (Reuters File)
13 hours ago

Trump Eyes Bringing Azerbaijan, Central Asian Nations Into Abraham Accords, Sources Say

13 hours ago

Farmers in West Fresno County to Consider 200% Groundwater Pumping Fee Hike

President Donald Trump speaks after disembarking Marine One, as he departs for Scotland, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, U.S., July 25, 2025. (Reuters/Evelyn Hockstein)
14 hours ago

Trump Orders Nuclear Submarines Moved Near Russia

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

Search

Send this to a friend