Topeka police investigating after credit card skimmer found on local ATM

TOPEKA (KSNT) - The Topeka Police Department (TPD) is pursuing leads in an investigation into a credit card skimmer found at a local ATM.

27 News reached out to the City of Topeka and TPD on July 10 with questions on credit card skimmers being found in the community. City spokeswoman Rosie Nichols responded to this written information request, stating a skimmer was located by police on May 14 at a 24-hour ATM located at Southeast 29th Street and California Avenue.

An investigation into the discovery of the illegal device is ongoing. This is the only skimmer to be found and confirmed by police so far this year.

27 News asked Nichols for advice on what actions people should take if they find a suspected card skimmer. She said locals can reach out to police by calling the TPD's financial crimes unit at 785-368-9405.

"The best practice is to remove and collect the skimmer as soon as possible," Nichols said when referring to actions police take upon confirmation of a card skimmer. "There are several different types of card skimmers. Some of them require the suspect to return to collect the device after hours/days to download the numbers. Other more complicated systems utilize Bluetooth technology to allow the suspect to remotely download that data without being exposed to the ATM camera a second time. The skimmer can then be analyzed to potentially identify suspects."

Other recommendations include keeping an eye on your financial activity, such as account statements and balances. You are also encouraged to contact police and your financial institutions immediately if you think you are the victim of a card skimmer.

"It is always a good idea to examine any device in which you place your financial cards," Nichols said. "If the scanner appears to be loose or does not match the design aesthetic of its surroundings, then don’t use the scanner. Sometimes the skimmer falls off when a customer attempts to use it. Should this happen, contact the police department for a quick response. We have means of conducting a forensic examination of the skimmer which can lead to suspect identification. If anyone is interested in what skimmers look like or how they work, there are countless sources online."

What are credit card skimmers?

The Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) describes credit card skimmers as electronic devices that capture credit or debit card information from card readers whenever a card is swiped. The KDA recommends businesses put programs in place to deter criminals from installing the skimmers, focus on detecting skimmers if they have been installed and train employees on how to respond if suspicious devices are found.

Employees should check for skimmers daily as it only takes around 10 seconds for someone to install one. Some skimmers may appear home-made and be easy to spot while others are much more sophisticated and are meant to blend in with their surroundings. Skimmers can be installed on the exterior and interior of card reader devices.

The KDA further recommends you take the following steps if you think you’ve found a card skimmer:

• Avoid touching the device and the dispenser. This is evidence of criminal activity.
• Turn off the dispenser immediately. Don’t let customers use it going forward.
• Call law enforcement.
• Leave the device in the dispenser until law enforcement can examine and take it away.
• Save any surveillance video footage from before the device was found.

Credit card skimmers have been located recently in other parts of Kansas at gas stations. In early 2023, the Atwood Police Department in Rawlins County confirmed skimmers were found on local gas pumps. 27 News also confirmed with Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Herrig in June this year that credit card skimmers were found at two local gas stations in McLouth and Ozawkie.

You can learn more about credit card skimmers, how to combat them and other dangers they pose by clicking here. If you think you’ve fallen victim to a scam, contact the Kansas Attorney General’s office by clicking here.

For more crime news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. 

Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf