Brighton residents and visitors are warned of potential credit card skimmers. The Boston Police Department issued the alert after a technician discovered an unauthorized electronic chip inside an ATM at a Market Street convenience store late Wednesday evening. An active investigation is underway.
Skimming scams are increasingly common in Massachusetts, with criminals targeting ATMs and point-of-sale terminals at busy locations such as gas stations and grocery stores. These devices can capture card data and PINs, prompting the Boston Police to continue advising the public to protect their financial information.
The Boston Police Department advises, “Use ATMs located inside financial institutions or near visible security cameras,” as these are generally safer. They also recommend inspecting terminals for loose parts or anything unusual and always shielding your PIN from potential hidden cameras.
If you notice unauthorized activity on your account, contact your card issuer’s fraud department immediately and deactivate the compromised card. You can also report skimming incidents to local authorities or the Internet Crime Complaint Center to help prevent further fraud.
Boston Police encourage anyone with information on credit card skimming to contact the CrimeStoppers Tip Line. You can call 1‑800‑494‑TIPS, text “TIP” to CRIME (27463), or submit tips online through the Boston Police CrimeStoppers website.
