News

Misspelling tips cardholders to ATM scam

May 9, 2004

MARYVILLE, Tenn. - Alert cardholders, tipped off by a misspelling in a message apparently posted by thieves, helped halt a card skimming scam at a Maryville ATM.

According to a report in the Maryville Daily Times, Roxanne Coffey and her husband, Mike, became suspicious after withdrawing funds from a First Tennessee convenience branch near the Blount County Library on May 1.

A sign posted at the ATM said: "Due to recent fraud attempts at this ATM machine, we require you to swipe your card in the reader below before using the machine. We apologize for the inconvenience.'

Mike Coffey followed the instructions and got cash from the ATM, but then his wife told him she thought there was something wrong. She noticed that the sign read "appologize' instead of the correct spelling.

When the Coffeys examined the card reader, they noticed it was not firmly attached to the wall. The reader and sign were both held in place with double-faced tape. When Mike Coffey gave the reader a tug, it came loose from the wall.

The Coffeys called the First Tennessee customer service number while they were at the ATM, and their suspicions were confirmed -- the card reader was not placed there by the bank.

The customer service representative asked the Coffeys to bring the device to the bank's main office on May 3; they complied with the request after removing the battery in the card-swipe device. They also canceled the card Mike Coffey had swiped through it.

First Tennessee Regional President Tony Thompson commended the Coffeys for alerting the bank and turning in the device. He said the bank's security division and outside law enforcement authorities are investigating the situation.

According to the Daily Times, Thompson urged customers at First Tennessee and other area banks to be alert for anything unusual at ATM locations. He said when there is a problem with a First Tennessee ATM, the machine is shut down. There are never "special instructions' for operation.