TYLER, Texas (KETK) – We pay with our cards everywhere, every day, but did you know that a simple, hidden device could capture your card information when you pay?
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Card skimmers are an increasing threat in fraud cases and various agencies have tips and tricks for detecting and avoiding these methods.
According to a Federal Reserve Payments Study, 157 billion card payments were made in the United States in 2021. The Financial Crimes Intelligence Center (FCIC) and the Texas Department of Licensing Regulation (TDLR) have released a public statement warning about card skimmer scams.
According to TDLR, skimmers can be placed deep inside card readers where their presence is not obvious. However, in everyday places like gas stations, there are signs to look out for when it comes to skimmers.
TDLR recommends checking the card reader or the dispenser housing to see if it looks loose or appears to be tampered with, and if the card slot is slightly wobbly.
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According to the FBI, card readers don’t just take your credit card – they can also place objects on the keypad to steal your PIN. For this reason, TDLR recommends checking a card reader’s keypad as well to see if anything may have been placed on it.
To best protect yourself from potential skimmers, financial agencies recommend these tips:
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Use tap-to-pay or a credit card instead of a debit card at the pump to prevent your PIN from being tracked
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Set up usage alerts for bank and credit card accounts and check their activity regularly
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Keep an eye on bank and credit card statements to avoid any fraudulent charges, no matter how small.
TDLR also said that if a skimmer was found, the merchant whose reader was equipped with a skimmer was responsible for immediately notifying law enforcement and disabling readers that had a skimmer attached. They were also responsible for reporting the skimmer to TDLR within 24 hours. They added that while consumers were not required to do so, they were still encouraged to report skimmers on their website as well.
TDLR stated that by partnering with the Smith County District Attorney, it seeks to “aggressively investigate and prosecute criminal offenders involved in organized financial crimes…such as fraud related to skimmers at gas pumps.”
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