Skimming device found on ATM at New Port Richey bank

Detectives with the Pasco County Sheriff's Office are searching for a pair who placed a skimming device and a pin-hole camera on a New Port Richey bank's ATM machine Saturday morning in an attempt to steal ATM card account numbers and pin codes.

The skimming device was found at the Bank of America's River Crossing branch, located at 5242 Little Road, New Port Richey, according to the Sheriff's Office.

According to the report, the first suspect was wearing a hat and driving what appears to be a Dodge minivan. He placed the skimming device on the ATM at 8:35 a.m. This suspect was trailed by an associate, wearing a baseball cap and driving a 4-door BMW, according to the report.

The skimming device was discovered and retrieved by a customer at 8:42 a.m., who then took the device to another Bank of America branch that was open to inquire as to what the object was, suspecting that it was an illegal skimming device.

The suspects returned at 9:45 a.m. and removed a pin-hole camera which was not detected by the customer, according to the report.

The pin-hole camera is used to detect the PIN number entered by the customer, and the skimming device can record the card number, allowing the suspects to gain access to the customer's bank or credit card account.

The Sheriff's Office has not received reports of any victims suffering a loss due to a skimming device at this or any other financial institution in Pasco County.

However, the Sheriff's Office warned that residents should be aware that such technology exists and is being used to steal from unsuspecting banking or retail customers. Skimming devices can be placed on any card reader, whether at a bank, gas station, or store.

Anyone who may have seen suspicious activity Saturday morning at the Bank of American location at 5242 Little Road is asked to contact Detective Natalie McSwane at 1-800-854-2862, extension 7291.