Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Beware the "ATM Not Working" Scam
By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 7, 2009
Modified Feb 7, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
s?
By
Jen Chung
Published Feb 7, 2009
Modified Feb 7, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The police are looking for four people involved in a scam they operate in bank ATM alcoves. The AP explains the scheme:
After the target puts his or her bank card into an ATM, a woman approaches and says that machine isn't working. While the victim uses a nearby machine, a second suspect watches and notes the victim's personal code.
That suspect gives the code to a third person, who then punches it into the machine the victim initially used and didn't cancel out of. Because the machine is still activated by the victim's card, the suspect is able to use the code to withdraw money.
And according to 1010 WINS, the suspects have struck at least 10 times "since October involving four different Bank of America ATM locations in the East Village, NoHo, Greenwich Village and Gramercy." Naturally, it goes without saying that you should be alert whenever using an ATM—and always cancel out of your transaction! (Here are some tips from Bankrate.)
If you have information about these crimes, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or text "TIPS" to CRIMES (274637) and then enter TIP577. And this is not the only kind of ATM scam that's pulled—there are also skimmers.
Tagged
atm
bank
crime
PIN code
scam
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
New Yorkers enrolled in SNAP will get more money for fresh produce next year
Residents enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program will receive 40% more through the Health Bucks program.
By
Giulia Heyward
Published Oct 29, 2026 at 4:19 p.m. ET
'You can't even look out the window': Asbestos dust coats Brooklyn NYCHA building walls
Nearly two dozen apartments are affected, with residents offered relocation.
By
Catalina Gonella
News
'You can't even look out the window': Asbestos dust coats Brooklyn NYCHA building walls
Nearly two dozen apartments are affected, with residents offered relocation.
By
Catalina Gonella
Trash containers take over Brooklyn parking spaces as NYC gets garbage bags off sidewalks
By
Liam Quigley
Mamdani says he's 'confident' NYC will collect $500 million with pied-à-terre tax
By
Elizabeth Kim
and
David Brand
NYPD won't enforce NYC's bus fare while MTA security force is suspended
By
Clayton Guse
and
Ramsey Khalifeh
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .