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SHOPPERS at major drugstore chains have been warned to check the card reader before swiping as they risk having their bank info stolen in seconds.
Police say sneaky skimming devices have been turning up in unexpected spots, including trusted locations like CVS and Walgreens.
The alarming trend has hit Savannah, Georgia, where officials are urging people to stay alert.
“Surprisingly, they’ve been in well-lit, well-maintained drugstores, CVS, Walgreens – right by the front entrance of the drugstores,” Savannah Police Detective Eric Rhimes told ABC local affiliate WJCL.
The skimmers aren’t just turning up at ATMs anymore.
They’re now appearing on checkout terminals at places like gas stations and pharmacies.
Police report confirmed that one device was found at a Murphy Express gas station off Abercorn Street.
“They’re inserting something into the card slot, and they’re interacting with the keypad only for a brief few seconds,” Rhimes said.
The devices are crafted to blend in so well that it is impossible to spot anything suspicious.
“There will be a card reader itself that is shoved into the card slot of the ATM that would record your card number whenever it’s entered into the ATM,” Rhimes explained.
“And then the second part would be a keypad overlay that looks very similar to the ATM keypad, and it’s placed on top of it.”
Crooks can install the tolls in moments and be gone before anyone notices.
WARNING SIGNS
He urged people to physically inspect card readers before inserting any debit or credit card.
“You’re not going to be able to lift up the legitimate keypad. It’s installed into that machine. It’s not going anywhere,” he said.
“If that keypad [is] moving at all, it’s very likely a fake one.”
Rhimes said another big warning sign is if the card slot feels odd or if the card doesn’t slide in smoothly.
What is a skimmer device?
A skimmer device is a fraud tool designed to steal sensitive information from credit or debit cards during transactions.
- Imagine a skimmer device as a sneaky thief that hides on ATMs or card machines.
- Its job is to secretly steal your credit or debit card information when you use it for a transaction.
- These devices are like tiny spies that can copy your card details, including the card number and PIN, without you even realizing it.
- Skimmers can be cleverly disguised to look just like the regular card reader, making them hard to spot.
- Once they have your information, bad guys 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 for anything unusual on card machines before using them to protect yourself from these sneaky devices.
“If it feels like you’re having to force your card in, or if it gets stuck in that machine, that’s also a very big red flag,” he said.
To play it safe, Rhimes recommended using contactless payments like tap-to-pay or Apple Pay whenever possible.
“Just like the bank looks at you with skepticism any time you come in, look at any ATM with a little bit of skepticism,” he added.
If you think you used a rigged card reader or notice strange charges, Savannah Police say to call your bank and report it immediately.
Authorities are now teaming up with the United States Secret Service to track down who’s behind the scheme.
So far, they haven’t confirmed how many machines were hit or if anyone’s been arrested.
