SAN DIEGO -- A San Diego man accused of placing a debit card skimming device on a bank security door and ATM machines so he could steal the PIN numbers of nearly 1,000 customers was charged with multiple counts of identity theft and other crimes, authorities announced Wednesday.
Daniel Axinte, 49, was scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday afternoon at the downtown courthouse.
In addition to the debit card skimming device on the bank's security door, Axinte also allegedly installed covert cameras aimed at capturing customers entering their PINs while using the ATM.
Axinte is believed to have stolen more than 970 compromised ATM/debit cards with an estimated loss of well over $100,000, said District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis.
"This brazen crime is a twist on debit card skimming, perpetrated by an ID thief who wasn't afraid to repeat his crime over and over at the same location,'' Dumanis said. "Bank customers had no idea their personal information was being compromised. But this latest crime should remind San Diegans how important it is to protect their personal financial information as best they can.''
One of the ways consumers can do that, said Scott Christensen of the Secret Service, is to take a couple of seconds to check the ATM they're using and also shield the key pad on the ATM so their PIN number can't be stolen by a hidden camera.
Deputy District Attorney Sharla Evert said Axinte would use reconfigured debit cards from the stolen personal information and withdraw money out of the victims' accounts, mostly in $500 increments.
One victim had to get a new debit cards three times, the prosecutor said.
Recently, Chase Bank notified the San Diego Regional Fraud Task Force of the ongoing crime series occurring at their bank branch on Black Mountain Road in Rancho Penasquitos, Dumanis said.
A Chase Bank investigator discovered an unknown suspect had been placing the debit card skimming device on the security door accessing the lobby of the Black Mountain bank and ATM machines.
The bank investigator reviewed surveillance videos from the branch and determined the same suspect had installed the skimmer and cameras on five previous weekends.
Investigators from the fraud task force conducted surveillance at the branch and arrested Axinte, Dumanis said.
District Attorney Investigator Joe Cargel said the skimming devices are a big problem throughout the country and can be installed very quickly.
Customers who may have used the ATMs at Chase Bank in Rancho Penasquitos anytime over the past six weekends should check their bank receipts and contact Chase, Dumanis said.
Investigators reiterated the importance of being observant.
They say you should look closely at the device you are putting your ATM card into, to make sure it isn't a fake.
And you should always use your body or hand to shield the ATM keypad.
Daniel Axinte, 49, was scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday afternoon at the downtown courthouse.
In addition to the debit card skimming device on the bank's security door, Axinte also allegedly installed covert cameras aimed at capturing customers entering their PINs while using the ATM.
Axinte is believed to have stolen more than 970 compromised ATM/debit cards with an estimated loss of well over $100,000, said District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis.
"This brazen crime is a twist on debit card skimming, perpetrated by an ID thief who wasn't afraid to repeat his crime over and over at the same location,'' Dumanis said. "Bank customers had no idea their personal information was being compromised. But this latest crime should remind San Diegans how important it is to protect their personal financial information as best they can.''
One of the ways consumers can do that, said Scott Christensen of the Secret Service, is to take a couple of seconds to check the ATM they're using and also shield the key pad on the ATM so their PIN number can't be stolen by a hidden camera.
Deputy District Attorney Sharla Evert said Axinte would use reconfigured debit cards from the stolen personal information and withdraw money out of the victims' accounts, mostly in $500 increments.
One victim had to get a new debit cards three times, the prosecutor said.
Recently, Chase Bank notified the San Diego Regional Fraud Task Force of the ongoing crime series occurring at their bank branch on Black Mountain Road in Rancho Penasquitos, Dumanis said.
A Chase Bank investigator discovered an unknown suspect had been placing the debit card skimming device on the security door accessing the lobby of the Black Mountain bank and ATM machines.
The bank investigator reviewed surveillance videos from the branch and determined the same suspect had installed the skimmer and cameras on five previous weekends.
Investigators from the fraud task force conducted surveillance at the branch and arrested Axinte, Dumanis said.
District Attorney Investigator Joe Cargel said the skimming devices are a big problem throughout the country and can be installed very quickly.
Customers who may have used the ATMs at Chase Bank in Rancho Penasquitos anytime over the past six weekends should check their bank receipts and contact Chase, Dumanis said.
Investigators reiterated the importance of being observant.
They say you should look closely at the device you are putting your ATM card into, to make sure it isn't a fake.
And you should always use your body or hand to shield the ATM keypad.
