Apparently the NYPD wants us to beware aware of ATM skimming. We spotted a dozen or so flyers around the neighborhood.
About five years ago ATM skimming in the East Village made the news.
Anyway, beware! And just one more reason to only carry Krugerrand gold coins like we do. (Admittedly, the exchange rate sucks, especially at bars.)
Thanks to @fnytv for the tip and photo.
How about I skim your face, jerkoffs? Look, most of us are having a tough time with the money and what not. I get it. But this is not the way.
ReplyDeleteI wondered if you were going to report on this. These signs have been up for a couple of days.
ReplyDeleteMy credit card has been skimmed 4 times in the past 5 months and I don't even use ATMs. I have a few online payments like the ASPCA, Netflix, etc. and the rest of my spending is done locally. Each time it happened I narrowed the scope of my already limited spending and it's most likely a particular pet store in the neighborhood. It's infuriating because the banks don't go after these people so you basically have to do your own investigation which is what I did. I spoke with the manager directly to make her aware that it was a big possibility that it was happen ending in her store. The more I refuse to STFU about it and talk to people I'm learning other people have been skimmed after using their card at this particular store. I don't have hard proof so I won't say which store but I will only use cash there. As soon as I did the skimming stopped.
ReplyDeleteNot Petopia on Ave. A and 2nd Street I hope....
ReplyDeleteNo, not Petopia.
ReplyDeleteThe last time I got skimmed I'm pretty sure it was at MooShoes on the LES. Someone then used the card info to order an expensive digital camera from buy.com which I received a few days later.
ReplyDeleteAfter calling the credit card company and buy.com about receiving a camera i did not order, I was told to wait for an RMA (return merchandise authorization ) form in the mail before returning it for a full refund. But the scammer sent me a fake RMA before the real one arrived, along with a fake return address which turned out to be a mailbox USA in Colorado.
Luckily I called buy.com and confirmed this was not their RMA form or shipping address. The scammer assumes you will fall for the fake RMA and shipping label, and then send the expensive merchandise to the scammer before the real RMA arrives in the mail. Since then I just use cash at most local stores without any more problems.
I am a total cash economy, with occasional ATM withdrawals from banks only. I pay utility bills at the local check casher; I send money orders for my rent and other payments; I never use even a bank ATM where I have to put my card in the door...either I wait for someone else to let me in or I go during the daytime when the bank door is open. I do eBay, but only with PayPal, and buy very little online, and only from well-known secure sites. I don't know how much more careful I can be...
ReplyDeleteNot Whiskers, I hope!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe the timing of this. I got a fraudulent charge on my card just this evening. I almost never use this card in an ATM, so I think it must have been my local shopping as well.
Old news my friends... I was skimmed at Astor Pl Chase a year ago. Not sure what was worse, being ripped off or having to watch my ugly mug up close on camera taking money out of an ATM hoping for a glimpse of a crook in the background. I'll never pick my nose again in a bank lobby.
ReplyDeletePlease tell us the pet store. They should be held accountable.
ReplyDeleteI had my card recently skimmed and I don't use ATMs. Last time I used it was at this fauxrish pub whose holier than thou wanna be cool hipster bartender was rude and obnoxious who was offended when I made a a self deprecating joke. Upon realizing thus I quickly asked for the check. Days later I noticed an unauthorized use of my card T Gilt City and a parking airport in Wisconsin. Don't have proof that he was the one who used it but after what went on after that night at said bar, instinct tells me it's him. So it's not just the ATM one should be aware of.. Use cash if possible.
ReplyDeleteIt's a pet store on 9th Street and that's all I want to say because I don't have proof. But when I stopped using my card there, the skimming stopped.
ReplyDeleteI got skimmed at one of the local hardware stores 10 years ago (the person who did has since been fired). It still took several months to stop the money from moving out of my account. I ended up switching banks because it was so bad. All because one day I decided to use my debit card for a $10 fan. I only ever use my debit card now at the supermarket. Cash everywhere else. Once REALLY burned...twice shy.
ReplyDeleteI also stopped using my debit card after a lot of money (many thousands) was taken at a Target in Indiana (!). An even amount so it must have been gift cards. I called the store and reported it.The Target manager didn't seem surprised at all. I also went to the 9th precinct to report it in case there was a bigger problem (there wasn't; and the cops shockingly didn't give one shit that my bank account was robbed presumably from a local store, all within their jurisdiction, but since it's electronic they can't seem to wrap their heads around it).
ReplyDeleteThe bank gave me back the money pretty quickly but if I hadn't noticed that I had only a few dollars left in my account I would have bounced checks. I only used the card in one place, an Italian restaurant on Avenue A but I also don't want to name it because there is no definite proof--the bank will never tell you the outcome or even if there's an investigation. It's upsetting because even though I got the money back, someone stole my money directly from my account and I want to know who.
The problem with a debit card is they take your cash money and it can take time before you realize it. Some take small amounts hoping you won't notice.
Now I only use a credit card, not debit, and pay my bill in full twice a month so it's like using the debit card (no fees or interest) only much less risky. And you get points you can cash in for small prizes. With a blue amex I can sometimes get free tickets to concerts via ticketmaster. If they steal my credit card they haven't taken my cash and it is cleared up without any problem to me other than a phone call. (That's happened a few times to me too)
I read this a few days ago, and wondered if I would get any odd charged on my credit card, since I just shopped in a pet store on 9th street.
ReplyDeleteGuess what I did! Someone made a duplicate of my card and tried to use it.