THE FBI has educated shoppers on how to protect themselves from credit card skimmer devices in the wake of many popping up at popular stores.READ FULL ARTICLE HERE>>>>
There have been discoveries of skimming devices at major retailers such as Walmart, 7-Eleven, and CVS
which have attempted to steal shoppers’ financial information.
A skimmer is a device designed to blend in with a credit card machine so people unknowingly place their card into it and their financial information is recorded.
“The specific device used is often a realistic-looking card reader placed over the factory-installed card reader,” the FBI said.
“Customers insert their ATM card into the phony reader, and their account info is swiped and stored on a small attached laptop or cell phone or sent wirelessly to the criminals waiting nearby.”
The FBI has described these devices as undetectable and creatively made.
“The devices planted on ATMs are usually undetectable by users,” the FBI said.
“The makers of this equipment have become very adept at creating them, often from plastic or plaster so that they blend right into the ATM’s façade.”
Stephen Schnare from San Diego, California, came across a skimmer device while using an ATM at his local CVS.
Schnare noticed something was wrong when his card got stuck in the ATM and he had to rip it out.
He said the skimmer he found was strange because it was shaped like a card and jammed deep inside the ATM.
“I was like this is weird,” he said.
“It was a card-shaped device that wasn’t visible.
“It was all the way in the machine originally.”
In January, police in Northeast Ohio reported skimmer devices being found at multiple Walmarts in the area.
They were looking for two suspects who they believe installed the skimmers at Walmart cash registers in Cleveland, Parma, North Olmsted, Brooklyn, and South Euclid, per Yahoo News.
A skimmer was also found at a 7-Eleven store in South New Jersey in early April.
A shopper said they were checking out and noticed the card reader seemed off.
It is unclear how long the skimmer was there and could have recorded dozens of credit card numbers,
The FBI has released tips to keep in mind when using your credit card at stores to avoid falling victim to a skimmer.
Here is a breakdown of the tips, according to the FBI.
Before using an ATM, gas pump, or credit card reader, carefully inspect it for any signs of tampering, such as loose parts, crooked components, or damage.
Be wary of scratches or adhesive/tape residue, as these could indicate the presence of a skimming device.
When putting in your PIN, shield the keypad with your free hand to block potential hidden cameras from capturing your personal information.
If possible, try to opt for ATMs located indoors, as they offer less opportunity for criminals to install skimming devices unnoticed.
You should be cautious when using ATMs in tourist-heavy areas, as they are often targeted by skimmers looking to exploit unsuspecting travelers.
It is not normal for your card to not be returned after completing a transaction or pressing “cancel.” If this occurs, contact your bank immediately to report the incident.READ FULL ARTICLE HERE>>>>
