How to Spot and Avoid Card Skimmers: A Complete Guide
Credit card skimming is rampant and rising, but until very recently, I didn’t even know what it was. I first became aware of it when my sister cautioned me not to use self-checkout registers at stores that don’t take Apple Pay.
She is one of a growing number of Americans who have experienced credit card skimming, a type of fraud that involves the stealing of your credit or debit card information from ATMs, point-of-sale (POS) systems, and fuel pumps. The problem is big, and it’s growing. FICO says that debit card skimming grew 96 percent year over year in 2023, with more than 315,000 compromised cards identified.
Clearly, consumers who use credit and debit cards (read: most of us) are at risk of having their cards skimmed. As is so often the case, knowledge is power when it comes to protecting yourself from credit card skimming. Following is a primer on what credit card skimmers are, how to protect yourself from becoming a victim, and what to do if you are impacted.
What is a Credit Card Skimmer
According to Paige Hanson, a consumer and digital safety expert and co-founder of SecureLabs, “Skimmers are devices that fraudsters attach to payment terminals to steal credit and debit card data. You generally cannot see them. They usually are installed in high-traffic and unmonitored areas like ATMs and gas station pumps. There are cases where criminals also install tiny cameras or fake keypads to capture your PIN number, too.” Criminals use the data they steal to make fake cards for purchases or to access funds.
According to the FBI, skimmers at fuel pumps are usually attached to internal wiring and are thus not easily seen. ATM skimming devices come in the form of pinhole cameras that record consumers’ PINs as they’re being entered or keypad overlays that record consumers’ keystrokes. Skimmers can also be fitted along exposed wires on freestanding ATMs, such as those at convenience stores.
POS skimmers, including those for electronic benefits transfers (EBTs), are usually devices that fit over the terminal’s card reader. They capture data that needs to be collected and downloaded, although some can transmit information wirelessly.
How to Spot a Credit Card Skimmer
If you’re not looking for them, credit card skimmers are easy to miss, as they are designed to blend in.
When it comes to spotting skimmers that have been installed, look for cameras that could record you entering your PIN and examine the machine to make sure everything looks uniform. Nudge portions of the machine to see if anything, such as a keypad overlay, is loose.
Hanson warns, “Depending on the skill set of the fraudster and the skimmer they are using, it’s very hard to tell if the machine you’re using is compromised because the skimmer is installed inside the machine. There are still ‘overlay skimmers,’ so you’d be able to tell the place you put your card into is loose. Also, the keypad may feel off, if it feels or looks raised then likely there’s a fake overlay on the keypad.”
How to Prevent Credit Card Skimming
In addition to spotting skimmers that have been installed, you can lessen your chances of skimming by choosing locations that have high traffic, are well-lit, and are closest to attendants or workers because these locations are less likely to be tampered with. Going inside the gas station to pay is also safer, as is using ATM machines inside the bank.
When entering your PIN at an ATM machine or using your debit card, cover the keypad with your hand. Also, avoid swiping or inserting cards whenever you can, as the magnetic strips are most vulnerable to information being stolen.
If you have the option, use a credit card rather than a debit card and swipe as a credit card whenever possible. Credit cards have an extra layer of protection when it comes to fraudulent activity. Hanson also suggests using mobile payment like Apple Pay or Google Pay whenever possible, as they offer the best security.
Finally, monitor your accounts regularly. You can even set up text alerts with your credit card company so you are immediately aware of any questionable transactions, a practice that Hanson highly recommends. “Real-time updates on your card usage are super helpful!” she says.
What To Do If I Ran My Card Through a Credit Card Skimmer
If you suspect that you ran your card through a skimmer, immediately report the incident to the establishment and to the credit card company or bank responsible for the card. If you notice suspicious activity on your account, this is another sign that your card may have been skimmed. Alert your credit card company, freeze your credit, and file a police report. According to Hanson, you have 60 days to report fraudulent activity to your financial institution.
About the Experts
- Paige Hanson is an expert in consumer and digital safety with nearly two decades of experience in identity management. She is the co-founder of SecureLabs, holds a certificate in Identity Leadership from the University of Texas at Austin’s Center for Identity, and is a Certified Identity Theft Risk Management Specialist™. Hanson also serves as a board member of Women in Cybersecurity—Phoenix Affiliate Chapter.
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