Criminals are using a method called “jackpotting” to steal cash from ATMs, causing significant losses in Texas and Wisconsin. This illegal activity involves hackers using software or hardware to trick ATMs into dispensing money without proper authorization. The U.S. Secret Service has warned that these attacks can leave machines empty, resulting in thousands of dollars lost.
Laura Ward, the chief risk officer for Firstmark Credit Union, explained that the machines could keep dispensing cash until they run out. She noted that the number of cash dispenses can vary, with some machines giving out as many as 97 withdrawals before being emptied. Ward emphasized that this type of crime is unique and concerning, describing it as a targeted attack on ATMs.
In Houston, Texas, authorities recently arrested two suspects believed to be part of a jackpotting group linked to Russia. While the exact amount stolen from Firstmark hasn’t been disclosed, Ward indicated that the financial impact on the credit union is significant. The credit union has been collaborating with local, state, and federal agencies to address the issue and raise awareness about these attacks.
The jackpotting incidents typically occur overnight, with criminals either tampering with the machines in person or controlling them remotely. As the ATMs dispense cash, the thieves collect the money, as seen in surveillance footage.
In Marshfield, Wisconsin, three men were charged in connection with a jackpotting scheme that reportedly stole over $100,000 from a local credit union’s ATM. The suspects, Jhoenderson D. Rojas Eganez, Alejandro J. Sevilla Sanabria, and Worlly W. Garcia Albarracin, face multiple felony counts related to theft and computer crimes. Arrest warrants were issued, but no court dates have been set yet.
As these jackpotting schemes continue to pose a threat, financial institutions are on high alert, working diligently to protect their assets and inform the public about the risks involved.