Springfield police found a skimmer device at 7/11

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) – Springfield police are warning businesses to be on the lookout for skimming devices after one was spotted at a local 7/11 store.

These devices are still a big problem in the Springfield area. In the wake of the latest device found last week, Springfield police are urging business owners to be vigilant.

During an investigation in Springfield, the noisemaker was found at a 7/11 on Cooley Street. Springfield police spokesman Ryan Walsh told Western Mass News that the owner discovered it last week along with a small camera in his standalone ATM.

Now let’s focus on personal bank accounts, which can be a target for thieves.

“If anyone has used the ATM at 7/11 on Cooley Street, be sure to check your bank account as of June 18,” Walsh noted.

Walsh wants other business owners to remain vigilant, especially those most exposed to these devices.

“These standalone ATMs in bars and convenience stores are some of the most vulnerable technologies to these skimming devices because they’re not necessarily monitored by the person running the bar, restaurant or convenience store,” Walsh explained.

Western Mass News spoke with David Glantz, owner of Buckeye Bros Smokeshop, about what he does to prevent his shop from falling victim to skimmers.

“I have a private ATM here, and I know the person who operates it, and I let people know they are quite safe with it,” Glantz said.

Glantz showed us the wireless credit card terminal he uses in his store, rather than the more common keypad machines found in most convenience stores and tobacconists.

“The wireless ones are pretty secure, but like I said, the ones that are stationary on countertops and that you can put a fake keyboard on are pretty obvious,” Glantz added.

Western Mass News journalists talked to a Springfield resident who is concerned about fraud.

“It’s scary when you’re, I’m an older person, and you don’t know if they’re watching you, nothing, you don’t know what’s going on, people have devices on them, you just don’t know,” said Beverly from Springfield.

The Springfield Police Department encourages business owners to be vigilant about debit and credit card machines and to inspect them daily for any cracks, alterations or suspicious activity.