By Sue Ellen Woodcock
Since the word got out last week about a skimming device attached to an ATM machine at Cumberland Farms many victims have come forward. Winthrop Police are now also working with Revere Police since another skimming device was also found on the gas pump at the Sunoco station on Revere Beach Parkway.
In Winthrop at least 16 victims have come to police, many noting that withdrawls of cash were made from their accounts from New York. So far about $60,000 total has been taken from victims in Winthrop.
Chief Terence Delehanty said Winthrop Police have gone around to several to several businesses in town educating owners and managers about skimming devices, which can be attached to ATM machines and gas pumps. Police have also been conducting daily inspections.
A skim device works by affixing it to the card reader on an ATM or gas pump. It is affixed with tape and can come off if rotated. Another device is a pinhole camera that captures the pin number. It can also be affixed by tape or glue and can be removed by pulling it down.
If you believe that you are a victim, call Winthrop Police at 617-846-1212.