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Skimming discovered at bustling BMO Centre – Metro US

Skimming discovered at bustling BMO Centre

Police say a quick-thinking man alerted them to an alleged debit skimming scheme at a busy BMO Centre over the weekend.

Police spokesman Kevin Brookwell confirmed someone alerted police to the discovery of double-sided tape, indicating the machine was tampered with, on an ATM at the BMO Centre at the Stampede Grounds.

The venue hosted thousands enjoying the Calgary Women’s Show, Calgary Entertainment and Comic Expo and a Hitmen game this weekend.

“A guy who was on the ball and noticed something odd with the machine when double-sided tape came off alerted police this weekend, and I believe an arrest has been made,” Brookwell said.

Marina Ortman was working at the Calgary Women’s Show and withdrew money from a machine on Sunday. She didn’t take any chances when informed of the incident.

“I went and changed my PIN right away, but I was shocked,” she said.

“But obviously they targeted a high-traffic area that was very busy. It definitely makes me more aware.”

While Brookwell didn’t know the extent of this particular incident, he said debit and credit card skimming is not a rare occurrence.

“There are people making millions by doing it. They can target high-traffic areas or sometimes more remote areas, but they have to know your PIN number to get anything from your accounts,” he explained.

BMO bank spokesperson Laurie Grant said they weren’t made aware of the incident yet but would look into the matter.