Suspect Wanted After Skimming Device Found On Hickory ATM

HICKORY, NC — Police are looking for the suspect they believe installed a skimming device on an ATM.

The device was found when a customer went to use the ATM located at 355 HWY 70 SW Tuesday. Police say the skimmer had been installed inside the card slot and came out with the customer’s card.

Officials say bank officials have been notified and any customers who may have been affected will be contacted by their financial institutions.

Hickory Police have offered the following tips to help customers tell if a skimming device has been installed on the machine they’re using:

• When using an ATM or any other device that reads financial card information, gently pull on the card reader to ensure that it is securely affixed to the machine; it should not be loose or detach from the machine.
• Use your cellphone’s Blue Tooth technology can be used to detect internal skimmers. To do this, simply turn on the Blue Tooth setting of your phone and if any devices are detected nearby with a long string of letters and/or numbers, this may be an indication that a skimmer is active.

If any items detach from, or come out of, the ATM or if anything about the machine appears suspicious, officials say to contact the bank that operates the ATM first.

If they confirm that there is a possible skimmer on the machine, then contact your local law enforcement agency so that the device can be removed and analyzed appropriately.

Anyone with more information on the suspect wanted in this case are asked to call Investigator J. Crapps with the Hickory Police Department at 828-261-2626.