CELEBRATION, Fla. — Three people were arrested Thursday on charges of using a skimming device at a bank ATM in Celebration, Osceola County deputies said.
Deputies said they arrested Ciprian-Viorel Vartollomei, 36, of Romania, Marius Sandu, 22, of Romania, and Tamas Lorinc Falvi, 38, of Budapest, Hungary.
Authorities said someone reported suspicious activity at the SunTrust Bank on Celebration Avenue.
Deputies said they saw the trio removing the skimming device from the ATM, and then leaving the area.
Authorities pulled the trio over, arrested them and booked them into the Osceola County Jail. %
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"I was horrified because I depend on my money to survive, to pay rent, to employees, my employees, and everything," said SunTrust Bank customer Lorenzo Fernandez.
The Osceola County Sheriff's Office said the men are responsible for other skimming devices placed in area ATMs.
Fernandez said he was worried that the skimmer might have compromised his account on Columbus Day.
"It has happened so many times," said Fernandez. "It's the second time it has happened to me with my card."
Fernandez said a skimmer scam artist stole $1,000 from his account earlier this month when he used the same ATM.
SunTrust notified him of the issue the same day and reimbursed the money. It's an issue banks around the country are dealing with.
The investigation is ongoing and additional charges pending.
A spokesperson with SunTrust told Eyewitness News that the culprits were apprehended before any information was compromised since they were retrieving the device, but that security and fraud teams will make that determination based on their investigation and findings.
"When we detect a skimming device or fraudulent activity stemming from a skimming device, we determine users of the machine who might be at risk. We proactively reach out to those who may have been affected, and monitor and work to protect their accounts including reissuing new cards and reimbursing them for fraudulent transactions."
"It’s important to note that this is an industry issue, not one unique to our company. It highlights why it’s important for people to pay close attention and monitor their accounts no matter where they bank. If someone sees suspicious activity on their account, or suspicious activity by someone around an ATM, or a machine appears to be altered in any way, they should alert their financial institution as soon as they are aware of it."
Cox Media Group
