ATM thieves net a quick $4,000

A camera at USF's credit union ATM captured this view of two "skimming" suspects. Police think they may be from the Orlando area.

By SAUNDRA AMRHEIN
Published September 28, 2005

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TAMPA - Two men suspected of "skimming," or using stolen encrypted credit card information to illegally withdraw money from bank automatic teller machines, are being sought by the University of South Florida police.

Police say the two pulled more than $4,000 from victims' accounts.

The men went to an ATM at the USF credit union on Sept. 17, the day of the USF home football game against the University of Central Florida from Orlando, said USF police Sgt. Mike Klingebiel.

All the bank accounts the men entered or tried to enter were based in Orlando, Klingebiel said. Police think the football game drew thieves to this area.

Information had been skimmed from 23 bank account cards, Klingebiel said.

There are a variety of means criminals use to obtain encryption codes from the strip on the back of a bank or credit card, he said.

One method that has been the subject of media coverage, he noted as an example, is when a diner hands over a card to pay a restaurant bill and the waiter slides it through a device that records the encryption code. The stolen information can be used to create new cards that work in ATMs, he said.

That's what USF police think the pair in this case did. In 45 minutes at the ATM at USF, they made 69 attempts to withdraw money from the 23 accounts and succeeded in 13 cash withdrawals totaling $4,110, Klingebiel said.

Anyone with information about the men can call the USF Police Department at (812) 974-2628. Or anonymous tips can be left by calling (812) 974-8477.