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CLEVER crooks have been caught installing nearly invisible info-swiping devices at multiple Walmart stores in Virginia.
Law enforcement is on high alert, and shoppers have been warned after card readers were found tampered with across the region.
Fraudsters are installing skimming devices on payment terminals to steal customer card details during transactions, cops told ABC local affiliate WSET.
The devices have been discovered at Walmart stores in Lynchburg and Madison Heights, which is two hours west of Richmond, prompting an urgent investigation by local and state law enforcement agencies.
Lieutenant Greg Jones of the Amherst County Sheriff’s Office said that the suspects are part of a traveling fraud ring, moving from city to city to install the devices before quickly leaving the area.
“They install the devices and then leave and go on to another location,” said Jones.
“It’s kind of like popping a cover on top of the existing card reader.”
After making the discovery, Jones issued an urgent warning for shoppers to be extra careful when paying.
“Pay attention to the card reader that you’re using, see if it’s been tampered with,” he said.
Katie Jennings, a crime prevention specialist with Lynchburg Police, said loss prevention teams often catch the devices.
“A lot of the time our loss prevention partners are the ones who find these, and it’s because they are looking at the credit card readers and they might be a little discolored, they might be a little thicker, they might look a little bit different,” said Jennings.Â
She urged people to compare card readers at checkout saying, “If one looks different, tell a worker right away.”
SHOPPERS WARNED
Authorities recommend using chip-enabled cards or tap-to-pay methods for increased security, as these transactions are harder to skim than traditional card swipes.
Skimming devices aren’t just at Walmart, they’ve been found at grocery stores, ATMs, and gas stations too.
Walmart confirmed the incidents and said they are taking active steps to prevent fraud.
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.
“Walmart works hard to keep our customers safe from scammers and other criminals seeking to harm our customers,” the company said in a statement to WSET.
“Walmart’s robust anti-fraud program has been effective at fighting fraud and continuously evolves to respond to the fraudsters’ ever-changing tactics.”
Amherst County Sheriff’s Office didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment by The U.S. Sun.
PREVENT SKIM
While financial card skimmers can be hard to avoid entirely, shoppers can take steps to protect themselves when making purchases.
The first line of defense is closely inspecting the card reader before use.
Signs of tampering include mismatched colors, an unusually thick or bulky surface, misalignment, or a wobbly attachment that appears glued on.
Whenever possible, opting for contactless payment, such as tap-to-pay or mobile wallets like Apple Pay adds an extra layer of security.
These methods make it far more difficult for skimmers to steal card details compared to inserting a physical card.
Staying alert and taking precautions at checkout can help reduce the risk of falling victim to card skimming fraud.
