Police Suspect Rash Of Incidents At Bank ATMs In Rockland Are Related

Police in Rockland County believe an organized effort is under way in at least two towns to illegally obtain personal banking information through the use of various electronic devices planted at automatic teller machines.

Incidents in Ramapo and Clarkstown have sparked a joint investigation involving two town police departments and the Rockland County Intelligence Center, according to William Barbera, chief of the Patrol Division.

"It looks like the same people are involved in these incidents," said Barbera.

Police are urging ATM users to examine the machines for anything unusual or suspicious before accessing accounts.

In Nanuet, said a person using a Chase Bank ATM on Route 59 on Saturday discovered a hidden camera. A piece of moulding on the machine came loose during the transaction, revealing the small camera.

Police said that in Ramapo, a device was discovered illegally attached to an ATM machine. Such devices and hidden cameras are designed to illicitly obtain account information and personal identification numbers to access those accounts and withdraw cash.

In New City, police said a TD Bank customer reported on Monday that $600 had been withdrawn from an account through an unauthorized transaction. Police said an investigation revealed the cash was taken through a withdrawal made at the TD Bank ATM on Main Street.

If you see something that looks suspicious at an ATM machine, police urge ATM users to immediately contact bank personnel or to call police with the information. To reach police, call ...

In Clarkstown, 845-639-5800

In Orangetown, 845-359-3700

In Ramapo, 845-357-2400

In Haverstraw, 845-354-1500

In Stony Point, 845-786-2422

Rockland County Sheriff's Department, 638-5400

In Suffern, 845-357-2300

In Spring Valley, 845-356-7400

In Piermont, 845-359-0420

South Nyack-Grand View, 845-358-0206