GAS station customers have been warned to inspect pay terminals closely after an info-stealing device was found at a major chain.
The ultra-thin skimmers are used to steal card details in seconds, blending in so well that most shoppers never notice until it’s too late.
Customers are being encouraged by the police to perform the “jiggle test” before inserting their cards into card readers, following the discovery of a skimming device at a 7-Eleven in West Mifflin, Pennsylvania.
The West Mifflin Police Department was alerted to the skimmer found on a credit card reader inside the store on March 14.
The device was removed from the machine, and an investigation is ongoing.
Investigators are reviewing surveillance footage to track down the suspects but the criminals are hard to catch.
“A lot of them (thieves) are not from the area,” said West Mifflin Police Chief Gregory McCulloch.
Card skimming is a billion-dollar problem with the FBI estimating losses for consumers and banks exceeding $1 billion every year.
Thieves install skimmers in seconds and don’t even need to return to the scene to steal data.
“We’ve noticed more probably within the last 5 years,” McCulloch said.
“The way they extract the information is they can do it by Bluetooth, so they don’t even have to go back into the establishment.”
Cops say most skimmer busts start with regular people who notice something off about a card reader or spot fraudulent charges after using one.
The best way to fight back is the “three Ts”: tug, tap, and track.
McCulloch showed how easily skimmers can be detected by giving the card reader a hard tug.
He said if you tug hard enough and there’s a skimmer on, it will pop off or loosen up and you’ll know the difference.
Most skimmers sit on top of legitimate card readers, matching their color, size, and texture.
Inside, a tiny chip collects all the data needed to drain your account or make fraudulent purchases.
Experts say using your hands is better than just relying on sight.
Shake, tug, and feel for anything loose or wobbly.
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 something seems off, report it to the store immediately.
McCulloch said criminals constantly adapt, making it harder to spot these devices at a glance.
The safest bet is to use tap to pay whenever possible. That way, your card never touches a skimmer at all.
As for the third “T,” track your bank statements closely.
Anyone who notices fraudulent charges should contact their credit card issuer immediately.
Many credit cards offer zero liability for fraud, meaning victims won’t be responsible for unauthorized purchases if they report them within 30 days.
A credit freeze can also help prevent identity thieves from opening new accounts in a victim’s name.
Reporting the incident to local police is crucial as it helps law enforcement investigate and prevent further theft.
7-Eleven didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment by The U.S. Sun.
