Illegal card skimmer found at Costa Mesa bank ATM

Costa Mesa police are investigating the circumstances surrounding an illegal card skimmer discovered last weekend at a Chase ATM at 196 E. 17th St.

Officers went to the bank at about 4 p.m. Sunday after being notified that a device was attached to the walk-up ATM, police said. Skimming devices are typically installed to fraudulently capture bank customers’ account information as they use an ATM, police said.

It’s unclear how long the device was attached.

Police confiscated the skimmer and later arrested a 49-year-old Westminster man on suspicion of commercial burglary, possession of a scanning device, identity theft and fraud.

However, prosecutors declined to file charges against him and the man was freed Tuesday afternoon, according to Orange County Sheriff’s Department jail records.

Costa Mesa officials said they are investigating the matter further.

Police said that anyone who has a bank card that may have been skimmed at the ATM should call detectives at (714) 754-5637.

— Jeremiah Dobruck

Twitter: @jeremiahdobruck