Man Charged With Attempting To Steal ATM Information

A man was formally charged on Thursday for allegedly using data-skimming devices to steal bank customer's bank information.

Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O'Brien said that Ernino Perez was charged with two counts of identity fraud, two counts of possessing criminal tools and two counts of unauthorized use of property.

O'Brien said that Perez, 30, placed data-skimming devices, known as skimmers, on U.S. Bank ATM machines located at 688 High St. in Worthington and at 270 E. Main St. in New Albany.

"We have been aware for some time about the use of these skimmer devices across the country and have had prosecutors from our office educated by the Secret Service on their use. This case, though, is
the first time we have prosecuted the occurrence in Franklin County," O'Brien said.

According to Fairfield County Sheriff Dave Phalen,, the skimmers can be attached to ATM machines' card slots to record customers' card information.

Some thieves also attach cameras to the area to capture PIN information entered at the ATM, 10TV News reported.  

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