Device removed; investigation ongoing
FREMONT, Calif. — Fremont police are investigating after a maintenance technician discovered an ATM skimming device attached to an automated teller machine on Fremont Boulevard on Saturday, July 18, according to the Fremont Police Department.
Authorities did not identify the convenience store where the device was found or say how long the skimmer may have been attached. The department said the device included a keypad built to closely mimic the machine’s original keys and a separate card reader that collected payment information; the device was removed from the ATM.
"The device was a keypad designed to closely mimic the appearance of the ATM’s original keypad, as well as a card reader to capture payment data," the Fremont Police Department said in its weekly crime report.
How skimming works and the local risk
The FBI warns criminals use information harvested from skimmers to create counterfeit cards, which are then used for unauthorized purchases or to drain victims’ accounts. Skimmers are commonly placed on gas-pump readers, ATMs and retail payment terminals — devices that see frequent customer traffic and can be targeted for long periods without detection.
- Discovery: Found July 18 by a maintenance technician at a Fremont Boulevard convenience store.
- Device type: Fake keypad plus separate card reader to capture data.
- Action taken: Device removed; Fremont police investigation underway.
Prevention tips from authorities
Alongside the local investigation, law enforcement and the FBI recommend straightforward precautions to reduce the chance of becoming a victim:
- Use ATMs in well-lit, indoor locations when possible.
- Inspect keypads and card slots before use; try pulling at the edges of the keypad to see if it’s loose or removable.
- Prefer chip-enabled cards over magnetic-stripe-only cards, since fewer devices in the U.S. capture chip data.
- Exercise extra caution at high-tourist locations, which can be targeted more often.
The FBI estimates that skimming costs financial institutions and consumers in the United States more than $1 billion annually, according to the latest figures cited in the local report.
Local consequences and next steps
For Fremont residents, the discovery is a reminder that fraud schemes can appear in everyday places: a gas station, a corner convenience store or an in‑store ATM. The Fremont Police Department did not release additional details about suspects or whether any unauthorized transactions have been reported in connection with this device.
Customers who suspect their card information may have been compromised should contact their bank immediately, monitor account statements, and report unauthorized charges. Businesses that operate payment terminals or ATMs should periodically inspect devices and report suspicious attachments to police.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Date found | July 18, 2026 |
| Location | Convenience store on Fremont Boulevard (store not named) |
| Device removed | Yes — keypad-style skimmer and card reader |
Police encourage anyone with information about the device or suspicious activity near ATMs on Fremont Boulevard to contact the Fremont Police Department. The department’s weekly crime report provided the initial details of the discovery and the FBI’s guidance that widely accepted precautions can reduce the risk of falling victim to skimming schemes.
As the investigation continues, Fremont residents should stay vigilant at ATMs and payment terminals and report concerns to authorities so investigators can determine whether this was an isolated incident or part of a larger pattern.
