Ottawa, IL – Residents of Ottawa and Peru are urged to stay vigilant after credit card skimmers were discovered on ATMs in both cities. The Ottawa Police Department reported finding a skimmer device on an ATM in Ottawa, designed to capture PIN numbers. A similar device was found on an ATM in Peru.
According to the Ottawa Police Department, the skimmers had fake covers installed on the ATMs. These covers hide small cameras that record users’ PIN numbers. Additionally, a metal piece inserted where the card is swiped scans the card information. Fortunately, it appears that no card information was compromised in these instances.
Skimmers are commonly found on ATMs, gas station pumps, and other payment terminals. Police advise residents to be cautious and double-check these machines before using them. If anything looks suspicious, it should be reported to the business or authorities immediately.
The police provided images of the skimmers removed from the ATMs, showing how they were installed to capture unsuspecting victims’ information. Residents are reminded to stay alert and protect their financial information by inspecting payment terminals and covering the keypad when entering their PIN.
