Full Notification

The TORRANCE POLICE DEPARTMENT would like members of the public to know about an emerging crime trend at bank ATMs called Shoulder Surfing.  Suspects will loiter in the area of ATMs and watch customers enter their PINs.  Following the victims’ ATM transactions, the suspects will immediately approach the ATM before the banking system has had time to log the victims out, re-enter the victims’ PIN, and withdraw money from the victims’ account.  This has been identified as a particular problem at BANK OF AMERICA sites due to the time delay in that bank’s system closing out customers’ transactions.

The following are things to keep in mind: The suspects are known to approach victims in an aggressive manner (sometimes shoving victims), causing many to prematurely depart the ATMs. The suspects are targeting victims who are shorter in stature so as to be able to look over their shoulders.  ATM customers are encouraged to be aware of their surroundings while using ATMs, be discrete when entering PINs, and always ensure they have been completely logged out of the banking system before walking away from the ATM.  If you observe suspicious subjects loitering near an ATM and/or appearing interested  in others' ATM transactions, DO NOT use that ATM and call the police immediately.