ATM bandit raids 100 Kennewick bank accounts. More than $75,000 stolen
Detectives continue to hunt for the culprit behind a series of thefts in the Tri-Cities as the number of victims climbs.
Kennewick victims alone have lost more than $75,000, said police. The number of victims just in Kennewick has grown to about 100 people, said Officer Zach Moore.
Officers released pictures of the man taking money from a HAPO credit union ATM last week, as well as his passenger. It’s unclear whether he has moved to other banks or if other people are using cards.
The thieves’ methods haven’t changed. They are using stolen debit card information loaded onto counterfeit cards and taking large amounts of money out of ATMs.
Initially, beginning Feb. 15, there were 25 cases across the Tri-Cities. The amount has been steadily mounting during the course of this week.
Pasco police report they have not had any additional cases since the initial reports. The amount of people impacted in other sections of the Tri-Cities was not available.
The people identified as connected to the thefts are a man who was dressed in a green jacket with a white knit cap and another man who was in the car at the same time.
Police believe the bandits are getting the information using a skimmer. They found one attached to a card reader at a Chevron at the corner of McMurray Street and Jadwin Avenue. It’s unclear how many others might be in the area.
Skimmers are a piece of equipment that fits over a card reader and captures the information from the magnetic strip as someone slides it in. In many cases, they also come along with a small camera that captures the victim’s PIN.
People can spot them by looking for tampering and also wiggling the card reader. If the device seems loose or not working correctly, a skimmer might be attached.
Kennewick Sgt. Aaron Clem also suggested people use the computer chip on their bank cards instead of the magnetic strip whenever possible. If you must use the magnetic strip option, select credit card instead of debit and enter a ZIP code instead of a PIN code.
Also, you can cover your hand while punching in your personal identification number to shield if from hidden cameras.
Anyone with information on the suspects or a suspected skimmer is asked to call the non-emergency dispatch number at 509-628-0333.