Roundup: Skimming scam alert, more news
Here's a roundup of recent incidents and announcements from Ventura County agencies:
Skimming device found at convenience store
MOORPARK — A skimming scam last month prompted local authorities to alert the public and share ways to avoid becoming a victim.
In April, investigators recovered a skimming device from a 7-Eleven store in Moorpark after an Electronic Benefits Transfer card had been scammed, according to the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office.
The device is an overlaid piece that resembles a normal point-of-sale machine. It captures and transmits card data or stores it for suspects to later download. The card’s data is then cloned to spend money without the card owner’s knowledge.
In the first three days of May, Ventura County lost $22,000 in EBT skimming theft. Statewide losses for May were $3.9 million in EBT benefits, according to the DA’s office.
Authorities advise the public to look out for point-of-sale machines that don’t match others at the counter, appear bulky or have labels indicating the chip reader doesn’t work and prompts users to swipe instead.
The most secure point-of-sale transaction methods are the tap to pay function, chipped cards, or app-based pay systems such as Apple or Google Pay. If using the swipe function, officials suggest to avoid using a card that requires a PIN.
Man killed in e-bike crash identified
THOUSAND OAKS— Authorities identified the man who died after crashing his electric bicycle in Thousand Oaks early Sunday morning.
On Wednesday, the bicyclist was identified as Dustin A. Rodrigues, 31, of Lemoore, according to the Ventura County Medical Examiner’s office. He died of blunt force head and spine injuries.
Ventura County fire crews and sheriff's deputies responded to a report of an injured bicyclist at approximately 1:30 a.m. Sunday at Borchard Road and North Los Vientos Drive, west of Newbury Park High School.
Rodrigues had been riding with another bicyclist westbound in the bike lane, authorities said at the time. For unknown reasons, Rodrigues left the lane and crashed into a wooden fence near the intersection. He was transported to Los Robles Regional Medical Center where he later died.
He was not wearing a helmet, authorities reported Friday.
Witnesses are asked to call Ventura County Sheriff Senior Deputy Marcos Moreno at 805-947-8289.
Cytlalli Salgado is a breaking news reporter for the Ventura County Star. She can be reached by calling 805-437-0257 or emailing cytlalli.salgado@vcstar.com.