"My card was declined:" Credit union members' accounts drained by thieves days before Christmas

WEST MILWAUKEE -- Cleared out, just before Christmas: Hundreds of Guardian Credit Union members have fallen victim to a thief or thieves who could make even the Grinch blush. Nearly 200 bank accounts have been impacted, and some of those accounts have been drained.

Richard Robbins

Christmas may be the time for giving -- but Richard Robbins says it's what someone took from him that has him really upset -- just days before Christmas.

"It`s horrid. I would say horrible -- but it`s horrid by definition. Our accounts were wiped out. I`m like, 'oh boy,'" Robbins said.

Robbins says he was out shopping on Sunday, December 20th when he tried to make a purchase with his Guardian Credit Union debit card.

"My card was declined," Robbins said.

He went into the credit union's headquarters near Miller Park Way and Greenfield Avenue first thing Monday morning -- only to discover thousands of dollars in withdrawals made from his account without his consent.

Guardian Credit Union

"The withdrawals were from some place in Illinois," Robbins said.

According to a statement from Guardian's President, Steve Wesson, West Allis police first discovered the debit card fraud. It is believed a skimming device was placed on one of the credit union's West Milwaukee location ATMs at some point between Friday, December 4th and Sunday, December 6th.

"As far as skimming goes, not really -- I don`t know much about it," Robbins said.

ATM

Skimming typically involves a machine placed over a card reader that gives crooks access to your debit or credit card information.

Wesson says officials are working to notify affected members, and issue them new cards.

We're told cards that have been impacted have been closed, and all fraudulent charges have been refunded.

But still, Robbins says that punch-in-the-gut feeling -- thinking he lost everything days before Christmas makes him want to give whomever is responsible a lump of coal for Christmas.

"What money we do have, we`ve worked hard for and it`s ours. Who are you to take it? Who do you think you are?" Robbins said.

ATM skimmer

West Allis police continue their investigation into this incident.

Guardian officials advise all ATM users inspect the ATM for any suspicious devices.

If you think an ATM may have a skimmer on it, you're asked to call the bank or police right away.