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Money stolen from Hinsdale bank accounts via ATM fraud
Updated: April 15, 2013 2:09AM
HINSDALE — Police officials believe money was withdrawn from accounts with at least two Hinsdale banks via a device that stole people’s account numbers and passwords.
Officials of Northern Trust and Hinsdale Bank and Trust told the police that some customers reported somebody withdrew money from their accounts via automated teller machines without their permission.
“Bank officials have preliminarily determined that a skimming device may have been placed in the ATM . . .which had recorded the numerics and/or PIN numbers of customers utilizing the machine,” according to a police statement.
The exact number of customers and amount of money stolen are not yet known and are under investigation.
The fraud apparently occurred between Jan. 1 and Jan. 28 at the Northern Trust Bank, at 4 N. Washington St., and between Jan. 26 and Jan. 29 at Hinsdale Bank and Trust, at 25 E. First St. The ATMs were in each bank’s lobby, Hinsdale Deputy Police Chief Kevin Simpson said.
“There are various kinds of skimming devices,” Simpson said. “Ultimately, the device records the data on the magnetic strip on the back of the (cash station) card.”
The thief then can use the information to produce a counterfeit cash station card he or she can use at various ATMs, Simpson said.
The thief also needs the accountholder’s PIN or personal identification number. In some cases, Simpson said, a pinhole camera is attached to the ATM which can film a person entering their PIN number.
That’s why, even if you are alone when using a cash station, you should try to shield your hand as you press in your PIN, Simpson said.
The U.S. Secret Service, Hinsdale police and bank investigators are working together to find the people responsible for the crime.
