Public Assistance Requested to Identify Ring of ATM Card Thieves operating in Philadelphia Area

HARRISBURG – Agents from the Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation are requesting public assistance in identifying members of a suspected ATM card theft ring operating in suburban Philadelphia.

Attorney General Tom Corbett said a group of at least three individuals have been photographed using compromised bank cards to obtain cash from ATM machines at convenience stores and other locations in Montgomery and Bucks counties.  Agents have documented activity at eight different locations in the Norristown and Bensalem areas.

Additionally, Corbett said it appears that the card thieves have made unauthorized withdrawals from at least three different locations around Abington, Maryland.

“Their pattern of operation seems to indicate regular trips back and forth between Maryland and the greater Philadelphia area,” Corbett said. “We encourage residents to review the videos and still photos we have obtained from various surveillance cameras and contact our office with any information about the identities of these suspects.”

Corbett said that it appears the thieves are somehow obtaining ATM card data, including consumers’ “PIN” password numbers, without the victims’ knowledge – and that information is being used to generate duplicate debit cards. At this time, agents believe the ATM card fraud ring involves several different suspects, working alone or in small groups. 

Anyone with information that could help identify these suspected ATM card thieves, or other tips related to this ongoing investigation, is urged to contact the Attorney General’s Office:

Office of Attorney General – Bureau of Criminal Investigation
Special Agent Ted Bugda or Special Agent Thomas Mincavage
1000 Madison Avenue, Suite 310
Norristown Pa. 19403
610-631-5987

Corbett also urged all consumers to take steps to protect against identity theft and ATM/credit card fraud, including:

• Keeping personal information in a safe location (only carry the credit cards and other items that you need to make a purchase).
• Shredding all unwanted credit card & other financial “junk” mail.
• Avoid giving personal information over the phone or by email (Identity thieves may pose as representatives of banks, Internet service providers and even government agencies to get you to reveal information).
• Reviewing all credit card and bank statements as soon as they arrive and contacting your bank or card company immediately if you discover any unauthorized charges.