Cops probe credit card data thefts

Suspects allegedly used stolen info in New Haven, Shelton, Bridgeport, Greenwich and New York City

PORTLAND » Technologically adept thieves used a skimmer to steal credit and debit card data from an undetermined number of customers at a local service station on Route 66, according to police.

So far, Detective Daniel Knapp has identified half-a-dozen residents whose data was stolen from a Bluetooth skimmer, Knapp said Friday morning. The device was installed in an ATM inside the Cumberland Farms store at 204 Marlborough St., at the intersection of High Street.

The skimmer device was found by the store manager on June 7, Knapp said.

“The manager periodically checks the ATM and the (gasoline) pumps for any devices,” said Knapp, who praised the manager for making the discovery.

The manager is cooperating with the continuing investigation, the detective said.

As a result of the manager’s diligence in checking the ATM, Knapp said he believes the device was only used for “three or four days” before it was found. He also said because a Bluetooth device was used, at least one of the thieves was lurking nearby to capture the stolen data.

While the data was stolen a month ago, it was only this past weekend that thieves began using the pirated data, Knapp said. Typically, thieves use the data to create a replica card, Knapp explained.

So far, Knapp said he has been able trace the progression of the thieves who used stolen data in New Haven, Shelton, Bridgeport, Greenwich and down into New York City. Thieves also install skimmers at several ATMs in a particular area, mine the data and then move on to another locale, Knapp said.

Even as he pursues his investigation into the skimmer at the local Cumberland Farms, Knapp said there is another, similar case under investigation in Glastonbury. He also said the trail the thieves followed would tend to suggest their home base is in New York.

Knapp said he has obtained a copy of a surveillance photo taken from an ATM in Shelton where two people — both white men — made a withdrawal using a replica card. He is working to try and clarify the photo so it can perhaps be used to identify the two suspects.

The ATM inside the Cumberland Farms “is in a bad location,” out of view of any surveillance cameras, Knapp said.

As he checked the machine, the manager noticed the flashing green light above the portal where the customer’s card is entered into the ATM was not blinking, Knapp said. The thieves had installed a number pad on top of the real keypad, Knapp said.

Both those things should be a caution to a potential customer, Knapp said.

“The keypad is usually flush,” he said, “so if you see a raised pad, that should be a warning. And if you don’t see a blinking light when you go to put your card in, that might be a sign that something’s wrong.”

If someone believes his/ her card may have compromised, they should report it to their police department.

The devices used to steal the data are readily available on the Internet, said Knapp, who offered one more note of caution for residents.

“As much as possible, use cash,” he said.

FILE PHOTO A skimmer device was discovered by the Portland Cumberland Farms store manager on June 7, police said.