Skimming device evidence found at fourth bank, seventh ATM

A fourth Wichita financial institution was found to have been victimized by a skimming device, according to a Home Bank & Trust statement issued Wednesday afternoon.

In the release, sent by bank vice president Jeff Rathbun, the institution revealed that a “minimal number of accounts” are believed to have been compromised on July 4, making it the fourth Wichita financial institution to report such an occurrence on or after the holiday.

Wichita police spokesman Lt. James Espinoza confirmed Wednesday that Home Bank & Trust was targeted.

Rathbun declined further comment, though the bank’s statement indicated that “no evidence of any tampering” has been found at ATMs at the bank’s other locations, including its branch at 1409 N. Greenwich.

ATM skimming devices were found to have been placed on Intrust Bank and Fidelity Bank machines July 4 and a Sunflower Bank machine on July 9. Banking officials have said it’s possible that dozens of accounts were compromised. Close to two dozen fraud reports thought to be related to the skimming incidents have been filed in recent days, according to police documents.

Police have said they think the individuals responsible for the skimming incidents have already left the area. Similar incidents have been reported recently in Kansas City and Salina. With the addition of the Home Bank & Trust location, a total of seven Wichita ATMs have been reported to have featured skimming devices this month.

Home Bank & Trust officials are continuing to monitor the situation, and all account-holders believed to have been compromised have been contacted, according to the institution’s release. As with the other banks, Home Bank & Trust customers found to have been defrauded will not be held liable, the release states.

This story was originally published July 15, 2015 at 4:38 PM with the headline "Skimming device evidence found at fourth bank, seventh ATM."