LWers should look out for ATM scam at nearby Wells Fargo

by Emma DiMaggio

emmad@lwsb.com

Leisure Worlders are encouraged to exercise extra caution when withdrawing cash in-person from nearby ATMs.

Twice in March, suspects attempted to steal money from seniors withdrawing money from the Wells Fargo Bank ATM machine in the shopping center near the St. Andrews Gate entrance of Leisure World.

On March 29, two suspects tried to make off with Leisure World resident John Marks’ wallet and phone.

The incident began after Marks completed his ATM transaction and began to walk away from the bank, he said. A woman told him that he had dropped a $20 bill and handed him what he described as a “suspicious, folded up bill.”

When he took out his wallet, the woman insisted he give her his wallet and phone. A second male suspect encouraged the same. Marks said he was holding a toy weapon, “a fake gun,” which he described as having an orange barrel tip.

Marks said he continued to back away from the couple, despite the woman’s attempts to reach into his pocket and take his wallet.

Marks refused to give in, and the suspects fled the scene before police arrived.

Seal Beach Police Department spokesperson Julia Clasby said that the March 29 incident was the second of its kind to occur at the Wells Fargo Bank. The first occurred just a week earlier, on March 24, and also involved an senior victim.

According to Clasby, the suspects in the so-called “distraction theft” were able to take possession of the victim’s debit card and fraudulently withdraw $1,000 from the victim’s account. They attempted to withdraw an additional $1,100, Clasby said, but were unsuccessful.

Clasby said that, in addition to the fake bill distraction, suspects may also linger near the ATM pretending to wait their turn. These scammers are actually watching people enter their PIN number. After the transaction, the scammer will distract the ATM user with random questions in order to steal their card.

Patricia Cravin, a security guard who’s worked for the shopping center for about three years, said she’s been spending extra time in front of the Wells Fargo in the midst of the attempted thefts, but that she’s responsible for the entire center.

She said her presence “might scare them off.” She only works from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., leaving the ATM and shopping center unguarded for most of the afternoon and night.

Management from Wells Fargo could not comment on the incidents without corporate approval but did confirm that the bank does not have its own security guard.

A supervisor at neighboring Chase Bank said that they had not experienced any attempted thefts.

Cravin hypothesized that the suspects may be targeting Wells Fargo due to its proximity to the back of the shopping center, where getaway vehicles can be parked.

She said that she’s seen two separate “crews”—a pair of three and a father-son duo.

Both theft incidents are still open and active investigations, Clasby said.

“The Seal Beach police department has recognized a recent trend in banking institution fraud and thefts from customers,” Clasby wrote in an email. “Considering the recent events, the Seal Beach Police Department wants customers to be aware of the events and report suspicious activity.”

SBPD gave the following advice to LW residents:

• Do not engage in unsolicited information from unknown person(s) entering or exiting banking institutions. Scammers are likely to distract you momentarily to steal your ATM/ debit card.

• Put away your ATM/ debit card and money prior to leaving the banking institution or ATM.

• Do not accept checks from unknown person(s) asking for you to cash them.

• Observe your surroundings when leaving banking institutions. Monitor people and vehicles in the area to ensure you are not followed from the bank.

• Never give or send any personally identifiable information, money, jewelry, gift cards, checks, or wire information to unverified people or businesses.

• Immediately contact your financial institutions to place protections on your accounts and monitor your accounts and personal information for suspicious activity.

• Report suspicious activity to the police department.

For more information on scams, visit https://www.usa. gov/where-report-scams.

Thieves were able to take possession of one victim’s debit card and fraudulently withdraw $1,000 from their account.