Police warning the public, issue tips after skimming devices found on ATMs at two Cumberland Farms

Police are warning the public and also offering tips after two ATM skimming devices were found at area Cumberland Farms locations.

Today, Central Falls Police Department located an ATM skimming device attached to an ATM inside the Cumberland Farms located at 478 Broad Street.

Yesterday, the Johnston Police Department located an ATM skimming device attached to an ATM inside the Cumberland Farms located at 663 Killingly Street.

Card skimmers are small, illegal devices that fit onto ATMs, or on top of card readers at self-service sale terminals, and are designed to blend in with the rest of the machine while obtaining personal information.

When utilizing an ATM or a card reader, be sure to use this “SCAN” checklist:

S: Scan the area for hidden cameras that may record you typing your PIN. These may be mounted near the keypad so always cover your hand while you type in a PIN.

C: Compare the card reader and keypad to the rest of the machine. The colors and styles should all match, and graphics should be aligned and un-obscured.

A: Assess for obvious signs of tampering. Broken or dented panels may be visible or security seals may be broken.

N: Nudge the card reader and keypad. Card skimmers and fake keypads are meant to be removed, so if they feel loose, you may have spotted a skimmer.

Those who may have recently used either ATM should check with their financial institution for unauthorized transactions or withdrawals, and monitor accounts for fraud.