They say good manners never go out of style—unless you're a scammer pretending to help grandma at the ATM while stealing her life savings.
In this publication, we're uncovering a fast-moving, face-to-face scam that’s recently shaken New York’s Upper East Side. It’s slick, targeted, and terrifyingly effective. If you or someone you love uses ATMs, this is a must-read.
Between May and June, scammers posing as helpful strangers at ATMs stole nearly $70,000 from unsuspecting seniors in Manhattan—without any violence, just manipulation.
How It Works:
This scam relies on misdirection and trust. Here’s how it plays out:
- The Setup: Scammers approach elderly individuals at ATMs—often pretending to be helpful by offering assistance or engaging them in friendly conversation.
- The Swipe: While the senior is distracted, the scammer discreetly snatches their ATM card—or even swaps it with a dummy card.
- The Extraction: They immediately head to another bank location and begin draining the account, sometimes withdrawing thousands within minutes.
- The Teamwork: In some cases, a second scammer shows up later, pretending to represent a different trusted entity to help back up the lie.
This coordinated effort has happened across several banks—including Chase, Bank of America, Capital One, and Citibank—often hitting the same location multiple times.
Who’s Targeted:
• Seniors, primarily 70 years and older
• Victims concentrated in New York's Upper East Side
• Individuals withdrawing cash during mid-morning or midday hours
Scammers are going after the most trusting and tech-vulnerable individuals—often those who might not realize something’s wrong until hours later.
Real-Life Example:
On June 19, an 86-year-old woman visited the Chase Bank on York Avenue. In broad daylight, scammers stole her ATM card and made off with nearly $24,000—the largest single theft in the spree. In another case, they took $20,000 from a 90-year-old woman and $3,000 from an 83-year-old just an hour apart.
On June 2, a 71-year-old man noticed his card was missing only after a thief distracted him during a transaction. Over $6,000 was gone before he even left the bank.
Why You Should Care:
These aren’t digital scams hidden behind a screen—these criminals are up close, personable, and manipulating basic human decency. Anyone with a card and a sense of trust is vulnerable, especially seniors who may not question a polite stranger offering help.
And with over 750 grand larcenies already reported this year in the Upper East Side precinct alone, the problem is growing.
How to Protect Yourself:
• Never accept unsolicited help at an ATM—even if someone seems friendly or well-dressed.
• Cover the keypad and card slot while using an ATM.
• Double-check your card before walking away. If anything feels off, cancel the transaction.
• Monitor your accounts immediately after any ATM use, especially if something unusual occurred.
• Use indoor ATMs or machines attached to a staffed bank branch when possible.
Quick Tips & Updates
Quick Tip: Did you know? Scammers often operate in pairs—one distracts while the other steals. Be cautious of friendly strangers hovering nearby.
Pro Tip: If you suspect you've been targeted, call your bank immediately to cancel your card and file a police report. Don’t wait for unauthorized charges to show up.
Update: The NYPD is still investigating the crew behind these recent thefts, and surveillance footage has been released. Community awareness is key to stopping them.
Stay safe, stay informed.
Keyword Definitions:
- ATM Scam: A scam targeting individuals at or near an ATM, often involving distraction or impersonation to steal cards or PINs.
- Grand Larceny: A felony theft offense involving property or cash valued above a certain threshold, often $1,000 or more.
- Card Skimming/Swapping: The act of secretly replacing or copying someone’s bank card to gain access to their funds.
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