KELSO, Wash.–More than 89 cases of fraudulent ATM withdrawals have been reported in Cowlitz County here since early December, with members of at least four
credit unions affected.
Authorities suspect a yet-to-be-identified ATM skimmer is the culprit. Many of the withdrawals and online purchases occurred on the same day, police say.
Members of Red Canoe Credit Union were the primary victims, but authorities say members of Fibre FCU, OnPoint, and TwinStar credit unions have also been hit.
The Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office is also involved in the investigation. The Kelso Police Department posted surveillance images on Facebook of men suspected of being involved in the thefts.
Investigators said skimming devices are strongly suspected in these cases, but they have also not ruled out other methods of forging access cards.
Criminals install skimmers on ATMs, gas pumps and other card-reading devices to steal debit or cred card information and PINs. Skimmers are typically difficult to detect.
Police in Kelso and Longview said they are not aware of any skimmers being located in those areas in the last several months.