The Berkley community is on alert following the discovery of a card-skimming device and a camera at an MSU Federal Credit Union ATM. ClickOnDetroit reports that the skimmer and camera were found attached to a drive-thru ATM in Berkley late Sunday night, triggering a police reminder for residents to remain vigilant when using ATMs.
As reported by ClickOnDetroit, Berkley police received the initial call on October 12 after an alarm was activated at the ATM, prompting an investigation by security personnel. Authorities suspect the malicious equipment was installed overnight and have indicated it might be linked to similar thefts at other MSU Credit Union locations. Although the device appears to have only been in place for a few hours, detectives are working to determine if any personal information was compromised. "Criminals continue to adapt and change methods to steal personal and financial information," Berkley police emphasized, urging people to "always inspect ATMs for unusual attachments or damage before use."
Adding to the concern, according to a statement obtained by Fox2Detroit, this incident may be connected "to similar incidents at other MSU Credit Union locations in the area." Detectives have released images of the recovered devices, including a "camera bar" that was positioned to view PIN entries and different parts of the skimmer inserted into the card slot. The goal is to educate the public on what to look out for when using exterior ATMs.
WXYZ reports that additional skimming devices have been found, with one in Berkley, one in Novi, and two in Lansing—all at MSU credit unions. These findings suggest a broader scheme possibly orchestrated by the same individuals. "We're not aware of any victims that have been reported. We believe the device was only on there for a very brief period before it was located," Berkley Police Department's Lieutenant Andrew Hadfield told WXYZ. Even so, the police are actively working to identify any subjects involved and assess if customers were affected.
As these investigations continue, the public is encouraged to report suspicious activities around ATMs to their local police department. This recent string of incidents serves as a reminder that despite the relative quiet of the suburban streets of Berkley, neither they nor their machines are wholly immune to the invasive tactics of thieves lying in wait for unsuspecting prey.
