The NYPD has issued a warning to New York City seniors to protect themselves from a new ATM scam that has already victimized dozens of people across the boroughs. The scam involves distraction tactics that target the elderly by having strangers pretend to help them while they swap their real bank cards with fake ones and steal their money.
This distraction scam takes advantage of the elderly by having a stranger do an act that appears to be helpful but is actually a trap. How does the scam work, you may ask?
The victim just needs to enter an ATM lobby and insert their bank card. After the user enters their PIN, an unknown person will approach from behind and drop a few dollars on the floor. The con artist will then tap them on the shoulder and pretend to have found some money on the ground.
The Technicalities of the Scam
The NYPD claims the scammer waits until the victim has gone to retrieve the cash, then reaches into the ATM and swaps the real bank card with a fake one. The criminal will then use the victim’s credit card elsewhere, siphoning off their money.
“I’ve never fallen for a con before. I even feel young for my age (75).” Mark, who fell for the con, remarked, “I never thought something like this would ever happen to me.”
Mark called NBC New York to alert his fellow city dwellers, but he is far from alone.
“Right as I enter my PIN, someone taps me on the left shoulder and says, “Is that your money?” Mark stated.
A Recent Statement from the NYPD
Police estimate that there may be more than 40 victims in total.
The NYPD is spreading the word about the scam in the hopes that ATM users will become more vigilant. The 19th precinct has been making efforts to raise awareness, and they even produced a public service announcement detailing the criminal activity.
Deputy Inspector Bill Gallagher of the New York Police Department has stated that the criminal teams specifically target the elderly.
“That could be your grandma or grandpa, someone living on a fixed income, and they’re literally going in and grabbing their money,” said Gallagher, adding that they’re focusing on the city’s most vulnerable residents.
According to NYPD Deputy Inspector Brian Eng, “highly organized and highly coordinated” teams are flying in from all over the country specifically to prey on the city’s senior population.
They operate like a NASCAR team on race day. They use headphones or Bluetooth technology to connect to mobile phones for conversation. Eng remarked, “They have a clear understanding of their role.” They require the victim’s PIN digits, so they send in “the distractor,” “the card swapper,” or “the spotter.”
Eng noted that the agency had encountered mixed-gender groupings of two to four people.
“It’s really frustrating, and the public’s support is desperately needed. These people are inflicting tremendous trauma on the most vulnerable people in our city, and we want to apprehend them as soon as possible,” Gallagher said.
According to the victims, the sought suspects have been stealing thousands of dollars from naive people like Mark.
“They withdrew $1,700 from my bank account,” said Mark. “I felt like a total sitting duck. If it happened to me, it could happen to anyone.
Daytime scams have been on the rise, according to the police, who have seen a trend. Please notify law enforcement if you have any information about this scheme.
Conclusion
The NYPD urges ATM users to be vigilant and report suspicious activity, as highly organized criminal teams are targeting the city’s most vulnerable residents. This new ATM scam is a reminder that everyone, regardless of age, should be cautious when using ATMs and aware of their surroundings. With the public’s support, law enforcement hopes to apprehend these criminals and prevent further victimization of innocent people like Mark.
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