" Someone placed a skimmer on a couple of atm machines most likely. I sure hope the police around here know what skimmers are.

If you don't know check out http://consumerist.com/5218680/heres-what-a-card-skimmer-looks-like-on-an-atm "

" It's easy.......worried about fraud. Think about it next time you go to a resturaunt and hand your credit / ATM card to a minumum wage paid worker who "disappears" behind the counter.

Takes a second to record all relevant information on the front and back of your card.

1) Never turn your back on your card.

2) do not do business with companies that produce receipts containing the digits of your card. No telling who has access

Learned the hard way "

" What bank to the people use? "

" Thank you, Dirty Napkin. I, too, was wondering which banks were targeted. I look at my statement online almost every day, but the one day I don't check could be my downfall. Please tell us which banks have been tapped so that people might be more diligent in monitoring their accounts. "

" Stealing your CC #s, expiration date and 3 number code on the back is easy. Easy to order stuff on the phone or online.
But for someone to use your ATM card illegally, it's impossible without the PIN #. Sounds more likely that "asahigo" is closer ,with a skimmer. "

" Exactly Napkin? What bank? From the story it sounds like there is a common thread. Should'nt we know this? "

" I nearly had this happen to me at a Napa gas station. I got suspicious, so I drove IMMEDIATELY to my bank and closed the account. Several months later I found that a friend of mine had the same thing happen, (at the same station) but didn't catch it. She had her account broken into. Here's how it worked. You drive into the station during the early morning or late evening hours and find a hand written note on the easiest pump to get to. The note says to pay inside. You give your card to the person at the counter who takes it and places it under the counter. Remember, its very early morning or late at night so no one else is around. (In my case, the woman at the counter handed it to a co-worker and then both of them became most cheerful and excited, hence, my suspicion) During the time you're outside pumping gas there is ample time for them to copy, photograph, or do whatever they need to do. You come back and get your card without ever knowing. My friend's bank found charges at Napa Target and Home Depot within 15 minutes of her trip to the gas station. This is an easy situation to fall into, but if you slip up and find yourself in it ACT QUICKLY!! The lessons of this story are, don't leave your card with anyone!!!! If the situation is out of the ordinary, be on guard. The inconvenience of closing your account is minimal compared to having the account drained. Be careful out there, folks. It doesn't take "high-tech" to pull something like this off. "

" I know of two people that this happend to over the weekend and they both had different banks. "

" So I was informed that there is a type of fraud going around. When you use your atm card, the people could be sitting across the street and electronically get your card # as well as your Pin #. Then they use fake credit cards somewhere else with your info programed on to them. So its not even safe to use a gas pump. Looks like I am going back to cash transactions and in store banking again. Welcome back to the dark ages. "

" Unauthorized ATM withdrawals from what bank/s? This would have been helpful information to have.

Off to call the bank and check my balance... "

" Earlier this year my ATM/Visa card was compromised. I learned that the processor for banks called Heartland was the source. Heartland knew of the hacker but were slow to notify banks and credit unions.

That strangers have access to our money is unnerving. Check your accounts often. "

" okay so the police or NVR are not gonna give us anymore details so we can "arm" ourselves as consumers??! Where do these people bank? Where was the cash withdrawn from?

I understand the police are still investigating but here was an opportunity to limit the thieves to 30 victims instead of 300+! "

" The 30 people are just those that called the cops. Our account was also hacked ( 3 $400 withdrawals over the weekend), but we just went to the bank and they are dealing with it -never thought of calling the cops! So there are probably a lot more victims. "

" To the author of this article:

The 'M' in ATM stands for 'Machine.' So to write 'ATM Machine' is redundant.

Also worth noting, the 'N' in PIN stands for 'Number.' So to write 'PIN Number' is redundant, redundant, redundant. "

" Here's the details. I went to Target and used my debit card. I swiped it, I put in the pin, got my receipt and went on my way. May have happened either 10/2 or 10/9. ATM charges were done over 3 day weekend when banks wouldn't be posting withdrawals until after holiday. Vallejo, Martinez, Castro Valley. West America Bank has been working with me and had actually flagged my card (after 3 max withdrawals) and then made it so I couldn't use my card shopping. So they actually activated my concerns and I called them. Don't know how they did it. Check your bank and credit card accounts for charges-if you were at Target or Walmart in the last two weeks. Best I can tell you for now. "

" If you use your ATM at the gas station directly at the pump....be sure to clear it AGAIN after you pump your gas. It has been said that access to your account can be gained that way.
I quit using the ATM card years ago. If I need something....I go get the cash. Not quite as convenient as whipping out the little card, but my account is safe.
Credit cards are saved for large purchases. What's so hard about that? Every time you put your information out there.....you are opening yourself up for "nice smart" people to help themselves. "

" On a similar, yet unrelated note, someone I know had their credit card number and 3-digit code on the back stolen and used.

How did this happen?

By responding to emails sent via Craigslist!

A respondent had attached a keystroke logger to the email. Once the email was opened the program self installed on the computer. Every key stroke was logged and transmitted back to the hacker - who then used the info to rack up $5,000+ in charges. "

" How many of you that have commented went to Hancock Fabrics recently? "

" My parents just had this happen with 3 days each withdrawls of $500 total of $1500 & they would have never known hadnt they gone to Costco and the debit card denied..... the bank the money was withdrawn from wasnt even the banks they had there money in! There bank told them the only way to get the money back or be protected was to make a police report so be advised MAKE A REPORT no matter what your bank says and I agree with all who said CHECK YOUR ACCOUNT DAILY I DO ... and I do just because it helps me sleep at night.... "

" We just had to close our credit card account down because a supposedly Better Business Bureau online company used out card for five $200 purchases. We missed one of the earliest charges but we were able to get the company to reimburse the most recent charges. Ironically, after the first charge we discovered, they promised to remove our card information from their files. Well, they didn't do it and the charges continued.

The bank says that we cannot get reimbursement for the first fraudulent charge because it was a long time ago. The tricky part of this is that we did business with this online lab company ONCE, when we ordered lab work for our son. Five fraudulent charges followed. Because we had a legitimate business encounter with this company at one point, the bank says it's more difficult retrieving the money.

I'm still trying to get the company to reimburse us for the first fraudulent charge.

I'm not at all surprised about this type of activity due to the economy. Just be very observant about your purchases. And DO NOT give any other banking info out. This online company actually wanted to wire me a refund and they wanted detailed banking info. I'm going to the authorities as soon as my money order arrives in the mail, which they said is on its way. "

" Curious that this is happening to others. By the looks of the posts, it has been well over 30 people. (Hear that NV Register.) Last week my son received a call from Chase (Wamu) fraud division telling him someone tried to use his debit card for a $600 purhase. He didnt have that much in his account so it was denied. It is hard to say where it happened since he uses that debit card for every little thing. I never thought of calling the police since the bank took care of it. I will be suggesting that he be more proactive next time. "

" Update. Sorry Target....I had been to Hancock Fabrics twice. The first time was on October 5 - so they didn't do anything until the long weekend. I was there again on October 12. Probably better for Napa as less people shop there than at Target. The process continues "

" Everyone, please be aware that Mill Valley and Richmond are not the only places where the fraudulent transactions have taken place. The fraudster(s) withdrew $500 from my account in San Leandro, then took out another $500 in Walnut Creek shortly thereafter. The fraudulent withdrawals were made on Monday this week. "

" Using cash has more appeal to me suddenly.... "

" Are these people only accessing ATM's or are they also doing this with gas cards or department store cards? If you have a Target card of Chevron credit card are they able to access that? You would think with this being so rampant they would put safeguards in for the consumers. As far as the attendants at the Gas Station that took the cards they should be fired. Sad part is if you carry cash they can rip you off as well or you would be victimized by youths needing money for drugs etc. Either way it's a no win. Get on line banking and check your account multiple times per day. Maybe they need to have tamper proof machines as well to protect the consumer. "

" My card was hit twice on the same day at an ATM in Atlanta, GA. The debit card was only used for a recurring online payment. Even though I had my card locked in my desk, and card was swiped and a new PIN Number requested. Card has been canceled, and I will be closing the account with that bank. "

" I was at the Chase bank on Trancas and saw a man empting the trash part of the ATM into Plastic garbage bags. I figured he was a worker emptying it on a weekend so it would not back up, but then a few days later I started questioning it. If any more info is needed from register or dep. contact me through my register subscription. "

" I was notified on Monday from my bank fraud dept (BOA) that they wanted to confirm some suspicious activity on my debit card. Sure enough, someone had gotten my numbers & pin number (I still had the card in my possession). The thief attempted to withdrawl large amounts on several occasions from a ATM in Pinole. BOA blocked use on my card and we are monitoring our account for any transactions pending that may or may not be mine.

The person at my bank said it was likely a scanner was attached to a debit machine either at a gas station or ATM. Nothing looked suspicious to me at any machine I've used recently. But this has been a lesson to me. "

" I also had shopped at Hancock's . They took money out in the east bay and then tried down by Santa Cruz. I called the officer mentioned in this story and he left me a message that I could make a police report (my bank is crediting my account) but when I went online to make a report-I didn't know where to do this. Any suggestions? The theft of my money happened out of town-is it the theft of my atm numbers and pin numbers that I am reporting? "

" I was also a victim: ATMs using my card and pin (Which I had) 10/10 Mill Valley 402.50 10/11 Richmond 403.00 10/12 San Rafael 403.00. I shopped at Hancocks Fabricks on 9/2. I hope when these evil people are caught ...they feel the state of panic we all have felt!!!! "

" I was told the other day, that anyone can own an A.T.M. Not just a bank. Any truth to that? "

" all of those ATM machines have cameras.
I want those photos. How can I get them? Anyone know? "