December 5, 2014 Criminals are increasingly using available technology to skim financial and personal information from automated teller machines, credit card readers at gas station pumps and department store checkouts. Blue-tooth enabled skimming devices are enabling criminals to wirelessly capture credit card information without their physical presence to retrieve the data. These devices are nearly impossible to detect and can easily be purchased online. Law enforcement authorities have confirmed millions of dollars skimmed in just a one year period. How much has actually been stolen and from whom is unknown. How this scam works A blue tooth enabled skimmer / transmitter is installed in the card reader of a gas station pump, ATM, or store point of sale machine. The device is small and virtually undetectable, unless it is closely inspected. How to Detect a Skimmer • Inspect the card reader and the area near the PIN pad for any suspicious devices or equipment tampering. • If you are using a debit card, try to conceal your PIN while entering it. • Use a credit card instead of a debit card whenever possible, as most debit cards do not have the fraud protection that credit cards do. • Use gas pumps that are in plain view and not in concealed or out of the way locations. • Inspect the card insertion device and pin pad to see if they are loose or can come apart. • Avoid using gas pumps where the tamper safe seal is broken or appears to have been tampered with.
Posted on: Fri, 05 Dec 2014 15:30:54 +0000
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