Skimming usually involves a device that a thief places anywhere a customer can use a credit or debit card to pay.
THE ISLAND PACK (HILTON HEAD, SC)
A man was arrested Friday morning in Fresno County, accused of trying to install a device used to steal bank card information at an ATM.
Mario Bertoni, 55, of Italy, was arrested after police were called to the Bank of the West in Parlier at 6:40 am over a report of a man attempting to install a skimmer.
Skimming devices are designed to collect bank card information and the PIN that customers enter at ATMs or payment devices at stores or gas pumps. Thieves then sell the information or use it to make fraudulent purchases.
While some skimming devices are simple, others have Bluetooth technology that allows thieves to download the information remotely from the parking lot.
Skimming has been in the spotlight lately, especially since a TikTok video went viral showing what appeared to be a skimming device used on a Fresno 7-Eleven.
Earlier this year, Clovis Police told The Bee that the ATM at Bank of America in Peach and Shaw Avenues has been targeted by skimmers eight times. Employees are not always present at the free-standing ATM.
Reedley Police said they have received many complaints this year related to fraudulent purchases, and the drive-thru Bank of America ATM on G Street is a common target of skimmers.
In Parlier, Bertoni was found to be in possession of skimming devices. He was arrested and incarcerated in Fresno County Jail and later released.
The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office recommends downloading “skimmer scanner” apps for smartphones that can alert users to gas pumps if they have been tampered with.
This story was originally published July 2, 2022 09:39.
Bethany Clough covers dining and shopping for The Fresno Bee. She has been a reporter for 20 years and now answers reader questions about openings, closings and other business news. She has a degree in journalism from Syracuse University and her last name is pronounced Cluff.