Bank of Purchase Street? You May Have Been Ripped Off…

If you banked on Purchase Street this weekend, you may have been ripped off.

Rye PD is reporting an ATM skimmer–an attachment used to copy information from users' ATM cards–has been recovered at HSBC Bank ATM, 67 Purchase Street, Rye, on Sunday, October 9th. They are urging residents that used this ATM to contact their bank's security department to inform them that your card security may have been compromised.

There is no additional information available at this time, however the Police Department will keep residents informed of any further information that becomes available regarding the security of their data.

Several other communities have also recently reported incidents of bank card skimmers and secret cameras being installed on automated teller machines (ATMs). The skimmers record information from a user's ATM card, and the cameras record the user's PIN (personal identification number) as it is punched in on the ATM keypad.

It is always wise to take basic precautions when using ATMs here or in your travels:

Before inserting your card into the slot of an ATM, wiggle the slot. Normal ATM slots should not wiggle, but a skimmer installed on the slot may seem loose.

• Before inserting your card into the slot of an ATM, wiggle the slot. Normal ATM slots should not wiggle, but a skimmer installed on the slot may seem loose.
• Cover the keypad with your free hand while keying in your PIN, so if a hidden camera is installed it will not be able to record the number.
• Always be aware of your surroundings when making an ATM transaction, and be alert for suspicious activity or people loitering nearby.