On 10/29/20, a credit card “skimming” device was located in an ATM machine at Bank of America on 921 East Arques Avenue. The device contained a camera, memory card, and batteries that were glued inside the trimming which concealed it from the outside.
Credit Card Skimmer are devices that enable thieves to steal card data and use it for fraudulent transactions. They're added to card reader devices to capture your information.
Here is what you need to know to protect yourself from skimming:
How Do Credit Card Skimmers Work?
A credit card skimming device reads the magnetic stripe on your credit or debit card when you slide it into a card reader at an ATM, gas pump or other point of sale. The skimmer then stores the card number, expiration date and cardholder's name. These stripes even appear on chip-enabled cards.
What Does a Credit Card Skimmer Look Like?
Credit card skimmers can be tough to spot, as they often look like regular card readers. But being vigilant can help you identify these fraudulent readers. You may have found a skimmer if the card reader looks different from others in the same location, for example, a reader that is bigger at one gas pump than those at nearby pumps. Readers with card skimmers attached may not feel as secure. If you're able to wiggle the reader, it could have a skimmer attached.
•ATM skimmer devices usually fit over the original card reader.
•Some ATM skimmers are inserted in the card reader, placed in the terminal, or situated along exposed cables.
•Pinhole cameras installed on ATMs record a customer entering their PIN. Pinhole camera placement varies widely.
•In some cases, keypad overlays are used instead of pinhole cameras to records PINs. Keypad overlays record a customer’s keystrokes.
•Skimming devices store data to be downloaded or wirelessly transferred later.
How Can You Protect Yourself From Credit Card Skimmers? A little caution can go a long way in protecting yourself from credit card skimmers.
•Look for unusual features in the card reader. The reader at the pump you are using should look like other readers at the station. Also, you should not be able to wiggle the reader.
•Pull at the edges of the keypad before entering your PIN. Then, cover the keypad when you enter your PIN to prevent cameras from recording your entry.
•Use ATMs in a well-lit, indoor location, which are less vulnerable targets.
•Use debit and credit cards with chip technology. In the U.S., there are fewer devices that steal chip data versus magnetic strip data.
•Avoid using your debit card when you have linked accounts. Use a credit card instead.
•Contact your financial institution if the ATM doesn't return your card after you end or cancel a transaction.
•If you use a debit card, run it as a credit card without using the PIN. If you must use the PIN, cover your hand when typing the number, in case hidden cameras are watching.
•Look for a broken security seal. Many gas stations now place security seals over the cabinet panel. When the panel is opened, the label will read "void," a tipoff that tampering has occurred.
•Pay inside. This might help you bypass the skimmer altogether.
Keep in mind that spotting a skimmer can be difficult. This is especially true at gas stations, where a skimmer might be inside a pump and not visible to the naked eye.
What Should You Do If Your Card is Skimmed?
While credit card issuers use fraud detection technology and may shut down your card at the first sign of fraud, they don't catch everything. You might not know your card has been skimmed until you notice fraudulent transactions on your account. If you notice card fraud, contact your issuer right away.
