On Wednesday, April 9 the City of Oconomowoc Police Department posted a press release stating that they would be investigating “A series of fraudulent transactions on several residents’ bank accounts”. The Facebook post was made available on the Department’s social media after several concerned citizens reached out with concerns about the potential fraud. According to the post, there is indeed a tie between the fraud, as each may be linked by the use of local public ATM machines in the Oconomowoc area. As of now, the Department has not stated which ATMs may have been affected.
Although the exact ATM machines that may be impacted have not been specifically identified, some of the types of establishments they were located in were. “Gas stations, taverns, retail stores, and more”, were cited as being potential risks. The Oconomowoc Police Department is urging any citizens that may have used a publicly available ATM machine since March 2025 to report any potential fraud that might have occurred to the Department. They listed the officer that they should directly contact as Detective Moss.
The press release from Chief of Police James P. Pfister encouraged residents to always report cases of fraud to authorities. In this particular instance, reporting may lead to further prevention and possible justice. Pfister also encouraged residents to learn about the signs of fraud and how to protect themselves and others from any risks to their financial assets.
There are several websites with information about how to prevent ATM related fraud. Being familiar with safety strategies can help prevent any potential bad activity. For example, selecting ATMs in well-reputed places and inspecting the machines for cameras or unusual attachments is a good first step. Protecting your PIN number is essential. After the transaction, moving away from the machine and not lingering or counting money is important. Monitoring your financial accounts is also essential. If possible, turn on transaction notifications so that any risk of fraud can be noticed and stopped early. Many banks recommend using contactless payment methods to ensure financial security.
The Oconomowoc Police Department’s investigation is still ongoing. Residents should stay alert and be aware of the potential threat so that they and their loved ones can be safe.
