Yikes: Thieves who targeted a Sovereign Bank on Staten Island's South Shore stole over $100,000 from customers' accounts. The Staten Island Advance reports that one victim, Tom Cosgrove, "went online to pay his bills yesterday morning," only to find "his bank account was $1,603 lighter." Apparently the thieves were skimming: They set up scanning device on the ATM's bank card reader, as well as a camera to tape customers entering their PIN numbers. Cosgrove, whose friend had $4500 wiped out from his account, said he got to the bank at 8:45 a.m. and there were other victims waiting: "It's the holiday season and people need money." Sovereign told the Advance the incident appeared isolated and that it would reimburse victims after receiving a claim, "The bank is aware of the inconvenience this fraud may cause during this holiday week and is working diligently to assist its customers." Photo: DUMBO NYC
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