Reports are circulating on social media about a cash-trapping scam at the Territorial Bank of American Samoa (TBAS) ATM at Laufou Shopping Center. Thieves placed tape on the ATM cash dispenser to steal customer withdrawals.
The mother of a TBAS customer told KHJ News that her son went to the ATM early Tuesday morning to make a withdrawal. Her son received a receipt showing the cash had been dispensed. However, he did not receive the cash. When her son reached into the cash dispenser, he found tape stuck at the bottom and the cash he had withdrawn was stuck to the clear tape.
The mother said she reported the incident to TBAS and the bank assured that they would view their camera to identify the culprit or culprits. The woman told KHJ News that there was an older boy and a young one near the machine at the time her son was making his withdrawal.
Another woman also reported that when her daughter was withdrawing money from the same ATM, the cash was dispensed but wasn’t flowing out freely. It appeared to be stuck in the dispenser. When she reached inside the dispenser she found tape among the cash.
TBAS President and CEO Owen Perry, in response to KHJ News questions, said the bank is aware of the reported incident and the bank is currently reviewing the situation.
He said that, at this time, the incident appears to be isolated to a single location. “Upon becoming aware of the issue, the bank promptly notified the Department of Public Safety and is fully cooperating while also conducting our own internal review.”
Perry added, “Our ATMs are routinely monitored and inspected, and we continuously evaluate ways to further strengthen security across all locations.”
TBAS encourages any customer who experiences an issue at a Territorial Bank of American Samoa ATM, or who notices anything unusual, to contact the bank immediately so it can respond quickly and provide assistance.
Perry said, “As this matter remains under review, we are unable to comment on specific details at this time. Protecting our customers and maintaining the integrity of our services remains a top priority.”
Cash trapping has been reported in communities across the United States and internationally. The scam typically works by placing a device over the cash dispenser slot that blocks money from coming out. When customers attempt to withdraw cash, their account is debited, but no money appears. Believing the ATM is malfunctioning, victims typically walk away. The scammer then returns to remove the device and collect the trapped cash. The scam targets ATMs with minimal surveillance and relies on victims not reporting the malfunction immediately.
