Police investigate credit card scam targeting NY train riders
A scam targeting New York MTA train commuters who used debit or credit cards at ticket vending machines has prompted the New Jersey Transit Corporation to examine its own machines for foreign devices, according to NJ.com.
So far, four people, including a husband and wife, have been arrested in connection with the technological scam that used hidden cameras and skimmers to steal bank card numbers from thousands of Long Island Rail Road customers using ticket vending machines in Nassau and Queens counties.
MTA Police apprehended the husband and wife during a stakeout at the Sea Cliff LIRR station in Nassau County. The two were arrested after attempting to retrieve a pair of skimmer devices and hidden cameras from ticket vending machines. The investigation led police to an apartment in Queens, where they also arrested two other men believed to be masterminds of the scheme.
Foreign devices were found on three Metro-North Railroad ticket vending machines in Westchester County, and one bank reported thousands of dollars of losses on over 50 accounts. NJ Transit said its statewide transportation agency’s 670 ticket vending machines at 240 locations have been inspected, with no problems found.
The NJ Transit, based in Newark, provides commuter services to the US state of New Jersey; New York City, Orange, and Rockland counties in New York State; and Philadelphia County in Pennsylvania.
MTA Police urge anyone who used a bank card at an LIRR or Metro-North ticket vending machine between the months of August and November to check for unauthorized activity on their accounts.
