Skimmer on Tampa ATM may have victimized hundreds

TAMPA (FOX 13) - Tampa police are looking for two men caught on surveillance video appearing to install a skimming device on an ATM, steps away from Ashley Drive.

A customer found the skimmer on January 29 at the GTE Credit Union ATM on Tampa and Twiggs streets downtown. Police say it had been in place since it was installed January 21.

The skimmer was on the ATM during Gasparilla weekend, when thousands of people were in the area for Saturday's parade. GTE Financial did not immediately disclose how many users may have been affected, but a spokesperson said Friday that less than 1,000 transactions had been conducted over the entire eight-day period the skimmer was in place -- 140 of those during Gasparilla weekend alone.

Police say any of those users could have had their debit card information stolen.

"If people have used the ATM between January 21 and January 29 you want to make sure you look closely at your bank statements or whatever card you may have used to see if there's any transactions you're not aware of and contact both the police department and your financial institution," said Eddy Durkin, spokesman for Tampa Police.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers at 800-873-TIPS.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect the possible victim count since provided by GTE Financial.