Urgent shopper warning as sneaky bank-draining device found at self-checkout – watch out for ‘suspicious activity’
SHOPPERS are having an increasingly difficult time protecting themselves from fraud as more skimmer devices pop up at stores across the country.
Police in Towson, Maryland – located 20 minutes north of Baltimore – warned shoppers of a skimming device that was placed on a self-checkout register at a Wawa.
GettySkimmer devices can be unrecognizable from actual self-checkout registers[/caption]
GettyA Wawa in Maryland was targeted for a skimmer scam[/caption]
Skimming devices are sneaky card readers designed to fit on ATMs or self-checkout machine pin pads.
When shoppers slide or insert their cards into readers with a skimmer attached, their card information is stored for criminals to use later.
The illegal practice is becoming more prominent in the US, and shoppers can be particularly vulnerable when using a self-checkout kiosk.
Baltimore County Police Department notified shoppers of the skimmer device at the Wawa located at 1260 Joppa Road on May 15.
“Anyone who may have been directly affected or know someone who was, please have them contact us at 410-887- 2222 to file a report,” the statement continued.
“The device has since been removed, but we still ask that you monitor your accounts for any fraudulent activity.”
Shoppers who recently visited the Wawa location should check their bank statements immediately and contact police if they suspect suspicious transactions.
The U.S. Sun reached out to Wawa and Baltimore police for comment but did not immediately hear back.
SKIMMER VICTIMS
Wawa shoppers in Maryland are not the only ones who have recently been victimized by skimmers.
Not only can skimming devices be placed on self-checkout registers but they can also be installed on gas pumps.
Lisa Hilmer of Kansas City, Missouri claimed her bank account was drained after pumping gas.
Hilmer told local Fox affiliate WDAF that her card declined while grocery shopping.
When she checked her bank statement, she noticed two charges from stores she had never been to.
Walmart shoppers in the northeast also learned of skimmers the hard way after a massive scam left over 29,000 credit and debit cards impacted.
Stores in New York, New Hampshire, Maine, and Massachusetts were affected as 19 skimming devices were implemented across various locations.
Suspect Romario Serban was arrested in Charlotte, North Carolina after police found 27,144 credit card and 2,195 debit card numbers compromised and at least $10,000 in suspicious transactions.
A New Hampshire woman expressed her concern over the scam, telling local ABC affiliate WMUR, “People are so upset that it is happening and they’re still worried about it even though we tell them we check them all the time.”
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.
SPOTTING SKIMMERS
It can be tricky to spot a skimming device from a typical self-checkout, but there are tips to avoid being scammed.
Card readers do not move easily on official devices and should not come loose if toggled.
It is also recommended to use credit cards when making purchases as they are easier to dispute.
When withdrawing money from ATMs, it is safer to use an official machine in a bank rather than one at a convenience store or bar.
To remain extra vigilant, cardholders should check their bank statements frequently and immediately report suspicious activity.
Lastly, when using a self-checkout system at a store, shoppers should be alert and avoid devices that look questionable.
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