SHOPPERS have been warned after several supermarkets and convenience stores discovered data-stealing devices inside their credit card machines.
On Wednesday, a Supreme supermarket in Pennsauken, New Jersey, became the fifth location to detect a skimming device.
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Skimmers are small scanners that can copy information from your card so thieves can steal your identity or assets.
Investigators said they are still trying to figure out how and when the technology was placed at Supreme at 7500 S. Rt. 130, according to local ABC affiliate WPVI.
Four other Supreme locations recently found similar devices, police said.
“They simply place it on top of the existing credit card machine and can access the data that is passed through the credit card machine,” Pennsauken Police Department Officer Michael Killion told local reporters.
And two nearby 7-Elevens were hit early last month.
A man and a woman were caught installing the devices on April 3, one after the other.
Scams using skimming devices have gotten out of control in the region, police said.
New Jersey and Pennsylvania are consistently among the five worst states for skimming, according to FICO.
Cases originating from the area account for nearly half of all crimes nationwide.
INCOMPATIBLE BUYERS
Shoppers say they are upset about the trend.
“I saw it on TikTok, they do it at 7-Elevens and in the machines under the pin pads,” Makeila Melendez said.
She regularly visited the Supremo supermarket to do her family’s shopping, she said.
“It’s crazy what people will do to make some extra money,” she added.
HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF
While retailers work to stop thieves and police focus on catching them, consumers can try to protect themselves.
Although skimmers are small and often well hidden, following simple financial security tips should keep you safe.
Police say the first thing you should do is check your credit card machine for signs of tampering.
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.
“If you go to swipe your card and feel the cradle of the machine actually moving, pay attention to that,” Killion said.
“And I’m not talking about the entire panel, but the top of the machine, because that’s where the skimmers are. They’re at the top.”
You can also avoid hassles by using tap payment, with your card or phone.
The transaction technology used in wiretapping is more secure than inserting or swiping a card, police said.
If you think your card may have been skimmed, contact your bank to freeze your account and call the police to report the possible crime.
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
