BROOKLYN, N.Y. (PIX11) -- A three-day citywide crackdown is underway to get rid of skimmers and cloning devices on ATMS and EBT machines.
"Operation Flagship" involves the NYPD, the USDA, and the U.S. Secret Service Criminal Investigative Division.
As of Thursday, authorities say nearly two dozen illegal devices were found on machines throughout the five boroughs. The U.S. Secret Service said a skimming device was found in the card slot of an ATM at a Walgreens on Broadway and Flushing Avenue in Williamsburg. A cloning device was also allegedly found at a Mini Mart on Broadway in Bushwick.
Fernando Mateo with the United Bodegas of America tells PIX11 News he and his members welcome the federal crackdown.
Mateo said thieves are, "Taking money from people that really need their benefits. They need it for milk, they need it for eggs." Mateo added, "We're also advising our bodega owners to keep the machines behind the counter and out of the reach of anyone that can approach the counter."
In one year, an estimated $65 million was stolen from EBT cards in New York State.
There is pending legislation in New York State that would enhance EBT card security by requiring stores to warn customers about skimming and eventually replace outdated magnetic strip cards with chip-based cards.
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