Bank: 'Skimmer' on ATM no more than 24 hours

PLANT CITY SunTrust Bank officials say a device that may have stolen customer information at a local ATM was in place no more than 24 hours.

Police feared the "skimmer" had been attached to the ATM at the bank at 308 W. Alexander St. for much longer. But Hugh Suhr, a spokesman for SunTrust's home office in Atlanta, said the bank has narrowed the time frame.

"Through video surveillance, the skimming equipment recovered and ATM activity, we've determined the device was actually attached to the machine for a period of approximately 24 hours and therefore any negative impact should be minimal," Suhr said.

Officers on Oct. 2 found a scanner and camera outfitted with a remote transmitter at the ATM. These types of devices are typically used to capture the credit or debit card and personal identification numbers of customers using the ATM, police said.

"The device was detected when a technician came to do the routine maintenance on the machine," Plant City spokesman Senior Officer Tray Towles said. "According to the tech, the machine was last serviced six months ago."

Police originally feared the scanner and camera had gone unnoticed for months, based on when the ATM was last serviced. But Suhr said the bank's investigation showed the tampering took place no longer than 24 hours before it was discovered.

The bank is notifying customers, he said.

"We have identified those ATM users who may have been compromised and we are in the process of contacting them and advising them of our actions to mitigate the issue. If they have been victimized as a result of this fraud, they will be made whole," he said.

Plant City police Sgt. Jim Shultz said he has never seen a device like this before. 

"The thing looks extremely sophisticated," Shultz said. "It was outfitted with a remote transmitter that would have allowed the user to download the retrieved data without ever having to take it off of the machine.

Anyone finding suspicious or unauthorized transactions on their accounts should contact Shultz at (813) 757-9200.