What is a Skimmer?
If you have scanned your card through a skimmer, chances are you won’t know until you start seeing fraud on your account. Too many times, these devices are placed and not detected for weeks or months. This is why it is crucial to always keep an eye on your accounts, and make sure that every transaction is one that you made.
How to Spot a Skimmer
It can be almost impossible to tell if skimmer has been placed on a card reader. However, there are steps you can take to protect yourself.
Take A Closer Look – Check the card reader and machine for evidence that it has been tampered with. If there is an area that looks like it has been pried open, that is an immediate red flag. If the card reader itself looks bulky or out of place with a different color or material than the rest of the machine, that could be another sign of a skimmer.
Be Aware – Always be observant of your surroundings anytime you are making a purchase. If you are at a fuel pump or ATM, take a glance at the other machines nearby to see if those look similar to the one you are using. If not, don’t use either one.
If you notice anything suspicious, you should immediately report it to the business. If you believe you have been a victim of debit/credit card skimming, please give us a call at 281.487.9333.
Reported Skimmers Found:
Seller’s Brothers/Valero Convenience Store
10990 Red Bluff Rd (intersection at Bay Area Blvd)
Sources:
https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2469560,00.asp
https://www.creditcards.com/credit-card-news/gas-station-skimmer-fraud.php
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2017/06/avoid-skimmers-pump
https://krebsonsecurity.com/tag/gas-pump-skimmers/