Police are urging Andersonville residents to be on the lookout for ATM 'skimmers', who steal bank account information with the use of electronic transmitters.

Speaking at a community policing meeting last night in Andersonville, officers said a skimmer struck several times recently in Ravenswood.

A picture of the offender was distributed to attendees, and officers warned there is a good possibility he will strike in Andersonville area. The offender is a white male, 20-30 years old, brown eyes and dark hair. He was seen driving a black Jaguar without license plates.

"Skimming" is a brazen method of stealing ATM users' banking information. The skimmer glues a transmitter to the front of an ATM machine and then sits somewhere within a 50-100 foot area and receives ATM users' information on a laptop computer as users enter their information into the ATM.

Police warned attendees to look for physical oddities on the ATM before inserting their cards.

They said if an ATM appears to have been tampered with by a skimmer, it is important to casually survey the area for the signs of the receiver such as a person sitting in a car and using a laptop computer. After performing this inconspicuous reconnaissance, the most important thing to do is alert a bank employee and the police.

Attendees raised concerns about using credit cards at restaurants. Police suggested that diners ask to be present when a restaurant employee executes a credit card transaction.

Skimming aside, said Officer Cathy Battaglia, the previous  four weeks were quiet ones for crime, perhaps because of colder temperatures.

Theft from automobiles once again topped the list of crimes over the past month in Beat 2013, with nine such incidents occurring.

Officers asked residents to take extra precautions with regard to theft from automobiles.

They suggested that valuable items-and non-valuable items, such as change-be locked in the trunk, glove box or placed under the seat. This carries over to items such as jackets and coats, targeted objects in several recent automobile break-ins. Officers said that theft from automobiles is a high priority on the beat.

The next CAPs meeting in Beat 2013 is scheduled for February 20th, 7p.m., at the Philadelphia Church, 5437 N. Clark St.