BUCKHANNON – Travelers and shoppers should take precautions when using credit card readers this summer and beyond.
Skimming happens when devices that have been illegally installed on or within ATMs, point-of-sale terminals or gas pumps collect the card’s data, according to FBI.gov.
Buckhannon Police Chief Matt Gregory said skimmers can be placed in regular card readers to capture and steal a person’s information and make fraudulent purchases.
“Credit card skimmers look like a regular credit card reader, but it’s built into the reader, and it records the credit card information, so the person who owns the skimmer can get the information and duplicate the credit card, and it’s information,” Gregory said. “I haven’t noticed many around here in the city, but they’re typically at places such as gas stations and gas pumps, where the reader is more accessible to the public.”
It can be hard to tell if a skimmer is present, but people may notice a reader has been tampered with.
“They can look legitimate, but the one thing to really be cognizant of is if it appears there’s been any tampering with the credit card reader itself,” Gregory said. “If it appears to be loose or anything of that nature, that is a potential sign that there could be something off with the reader.”
According to FBI.gov, it is estimated that skimming costs financial institutions and consumers more than $1 billion each year.
“If there’s anything that gives a person cause or concern, through observation of the device itself, you should err on the side of caution and bring that to the attention of the store and discuss that with them,” Gregory said.
“If [consumers] feel they have been a victim of fraud through a skimmer, they need to contact their credit card company, and also check to see if there’s any fraudulent transactions that later appear on their statement,” the police chief added. “You also need to contact law enforcement.”
Gregory advised using gas pumps closer to the store because points of sale in public areas are harder to tamper with.
“Anytime you use a credit card, make sure that you do so in a higher traffic area, especially in areas that have more surveillance and security because those are typically a deterrence,” he added. “I think a lot of it just boils down to situational awareness — just being aware of your surroundings in terms of your own personal safety, and I think that would also apply to your financial security as well.”
FBI.gov also recommended taping the card instead of swiping or inserting it when paying at the pump (if the card and terminal allow). Tap-to-pay transactions are more secure and less likely to be compromised.
