UPDATE: How to spot an ATM skimmer

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Wilmington Police Department is investigating, and warning you after a skimming device was found on an ATM machine.

Police received a call for service at the First Citizens Bank on Eastwood Road after complaints from customers about a suspicious device. After consulting with National Cash Register, officers determined the device had been placed there to collect account information.

“The bank called a technician from NCR who came out and verified that this was a skimming device used to collect bank card data. It was not supposed to be on the machine itself,” WPD’s William Weeks said.

Officers said several customers complained to the bank that the ATM wasn’t working, and an employee discovered the device.

They added that they don’t often see skimmers in Wilmington, and they’re not easy to spot.

“I have never seen this before, and I initially did not recognize it as being fake until you really got out and inspected it closely, and again, you saw a small gap between the device and the ATM machine itself,” said William Weeks with the Wilmington Police Department.

Even though it is not easy to spot a skimmer, you can try.

Wiggle everything. ATMs should not have loose parts.

Check for tampering. If something looks different, don’t use the ATM.

Assume someone is watching you through a camera, so cover the key pad when you put in your pin.

Try to go to ATMs in busy places during the week. Criminals like to choose out-of-the-way ATMs to install skimmers on during the weekends.

If you do see something suspicious, report it to the bank and police.