Crime & Safety

Report: Monrovia Linked to ATM Scam at Michaels Stores

The Wall Street Journal reports that scammers used at least one ATM in Monrovia as part of a nationwide fraud scheme at Michaels arts and crafts stores.

The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that the arts and crafts chain has been hit by a nationwide scam that lifted ATM card information from customers in at least 80 stores in 20 states, and stolen data was used to withdraw money in Monrovia.

The con artists used more than 90 altered ATM devices to "skim" ATM information at Michael's stores, according to the WSJ. Information gleaned from the scams was used to withdraw money at ATM machines in Monrovia, the paper reported.

From the WSJ:

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Mary Allen, a 49-year-old teacher from Libertyville, Ill., visited her local Harris Bank branch last Wednesday to make a routine withdrawal and learned that she had insufficient funds.

A clerk printed out her recent account activity, and she saw two $503 transactions that she did not recognize.

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Both withdrawals had been made in California, including one in the city of Monrovia.


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