Local Top Stories

ATM Thefts on the Rise

By Tammy Mori

Police say they've seen a spike in ATM thefts.

They're calling it a crime of opportunity because many of these thefts are occuring when customers forget their card in the machines.

Many of us have done it.

It's easy to forget your debit card in the ATM machine, but more and more this mistake is coming with a high price tag.

In today's fast paced society, it's an easy mistake to make.

"My husband says how can lose your card? I say 4 times honey..old," smiles Young Choi, a Bank Customer.

"I know how it feels when you lose your card. But in my case no one took advantage," says John Vieroe, a Bank Customer.

But a woman who used an ATM at the star market in the Kamehameha Shopping Center earlier this week...wasn't so lucky.

"Female goes to Bank Of Hawaii ATM machine uses it as normal gets distracted and forgets her card," says Kim Buffett, with Crimestoppers.

And this man was caught on surveillance video making several withdrawals from her account.

"I don't think they're waiting here but its a crime of opportunity he walked up he got lucky," says Buffett.

And he's not the only one.

Police just arrested 25 year old Brandy Bass yesterday for withdrawing money after the victim forgot to remove her debit card.

"We've had many cases, we want to warn the public to be careful," she adds.

"When you put your money in your wallet, I always double check to see your card and your receipt," says Vieroe.

And banks have numerous safe guards in place as well...

"Most ATMs will capture your card or hold onto your card or leave it in there for 30 seconds or more," says Wayne Kirihara, Senior Vice President and Manager of Central Pacific Bank's Alternate and Future Delivery Channels.

But sometimes that 30 seconds is all it takes...

"Yah 4 times lucky," says Choi.

....for your luck to run out.

"I would definitely call the bank right away and let them know. They can check transactions for you to see if their are unauthorized transactions and at the same time shut off the card for you," advises Kirihara.

Police contacted us about an hour ago and said the man you saw in the surveillance pictures earlier just turned himself in.

He could be looking at charges including fraudulent use of a credit card and identity theft.

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