CHELMSFORD — On Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, at approximately 12:10 p.m., Chelmsford police responded to Hannaford supermarket at 66 Drum Hill Road after a debit card skimmer was found on an ATM located near the store’s entrance.
According to a statement from Chelmsford Police Chief Colin Spence, officers and detectives learned that a representative from a private company was performing routine maintenance on the ATM when he discovered a skimming device and a concealed camera attached to the machine. Police said the skimmer was capable of recording debit card information, while the camera was positioned to capture users’ PIN numbers.
“It is not clear how long the skimmer was on the ATM, so Chelmsford Police ask anyone who has used that ATM machine recently to change their pin number and closely monitor their bank statements for signs of suspicious activity,” Chief Spence said in the statement. “Anyone who finds signs of suspicious activity should immediately notify both their bank and Chelmsford Police.”
Chelmsford Police also shared the following safety tips, based on guidance from the FBI, to help residents avoid falling victim to ATM skimmers:
- Inspect ATMs and card readers before use and avoid machines that appear loose, damaged, or altered.
- Tug on the edges of the keypad before entering a PIN and cover the keypad while typing to prevent hidden cameras from recording it.
- When possible, use ATMs located in well-lit, indoor areas, which are generally less vulnerable to tampering.
The investigation remains active and ongoing, Chief Spence said.
