Vigilant ATM user Martin Stewart ripped a suspected card skimming device off a Tauranga machine on Sunday. He tells us why he thought it looked suspicious.
A vigilant ATM user ripped a suspected card skimming device off a city machine on Sunday.
Bellevue engineer Martin Stewart said he stopped at the Kiwibank ATM on the corner of Cameron Rd and 11th Ave about midday.
He was about to put his card in when he noticed somethingnot quite right with the card reader.
"I thought hmm, the lights aren't on on the card slot, and it's sticking out quite a bit."
He gave the slot a push and it moved more than he expected. A good yank and it came right off in his hands.
He adopted a habit of giving card slots a wiggle before putting his card in.
"I do a good enough job emptying out my account on my own, I don't need someone else doing it for me," he joked.
He posted pictures of his find on Facebook.
"I thought everyone needs to know what one of these things looks like, and that they can remove them."
The front of the card skimmer found on a Tauranga ATM. Photo/supplied
Kiwibank communications manager Bruce Thompson said the company was grateful the customer got in touch so quickly.
"The police have been contacted and we are waiting for them to uplift the skimming device," he said.
"As always, we will protect customer's accounts from fraudulent activity."
He would not say how long the device might have been on the machine or how many customers could be impacted.
"Kiwibank is working closely with the police on this issue. With a criminal investigation under way, we don't wish to provide a lot of details about the event," Mr Thompson said.
Kiwibank ATMs in Tauranga were among those targeted by a suspected skimming gang in April.
At least two dozen people had their bank cards compromised. Three people lost more than $1000 after their cards were cloned and used around Brookfield.
Police could not comment on the case, yesterday.
How to spot a card skimmer and protect yourself
- Before you use an ATM, look for inconsistencies in colours, materials, or graphics - Check the top of the ATM, speakers, side of the screen, card reader and keyboard for evidence of tampering - If anything does not look right, do not use the machine - Note where and when you use your card - Cover your pin when completing a transaction.
If you think you've been skimmed, check your account and contact your bank to close your account as soon as possible. Report it to the police.
