A SECRET Service special agent has warned shoppers about sophisticated new devices that could steal people’s bank card information.
Officer Joe Scargill said these fraudulent devices have been found in stores across the country.
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Scargill, head of the Jacksonville, Florida field office, shared what signs buyers need to look for to ensure their data and money are safe.
Skimmers are devices that fraudsters use to read and copy consumers’ credit card details.
They can take many forms, such as cameras that read PINs on ATMs or attachments placed on keyboards or card readers.
Scargill warned that typical checks that some buyers have begun to undertake, such as looking for damage to a machine or feeling for loose parts, would no longer be sufficient, according to the CW affiliate. WJXT.
“You can swing forward all you want,” he said.
“They didn’t touch the front of the device. So it’s not going to change, or it shouldn’t change if it’s legitimate.”
The officer showed a tutorial video from the dark web that showed how to make a new skimmer.
This method involved placing a magnetic stripe reader inside a card machine before putting it back in place.
Therefore, fraudsters would not have to place an extra reader or accessory on top of an existing one.
“You can see it in real time, it’s not very complicated,” Scargill said.
These new skimmers included card reading technology on the inside of the device, so customers wouldn’t be able to detect anything different.
“You put in your card. It steals your card details,” said Scargill.
“You take out your card. You have no idea this thing is there.
“Very easy,” he added.
What is a skimmer device?
A skimmer device is a fraudulent tool designed to steal sensitive credit or debit card information during transactions.
- Imagine a skimmer device as a sneaky thief that hides in ATMs or card machines.
- Its function is to secretly steal your credit or debit card information when you use it for a transaction.
- These devices are like little spies that can copy your card details, including your card number and PIN, without you knowing.
- Skimmers can be cleverly disguised to look like a regular card reader, making them difficult to detect.
- Once they get your information, crooks can use it to make fake cards or buy things without your permission, causing a lot of trouble and stress.
- It’s important to always be cautious and check card machines for anything unusual before using them to protect yourself from these sneaky devices.
He also showed another type of updated anti-fraud device found in stores.
A small white panel included a small pinhole camera.
This panel would be above a keypad to view a person’s PIN code; however, the camera’s small size would make it difficult to locate people.
He explained that fraudsters could use this information to make new cards or transactions shortly after obtaining the data.
Scargill also showed a video of an incident in which someone used a key to open a gas pump and insert a device.
The officer warned that these devices were constantly changing and improving, so people had to always be aware.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
