BIG THREAT: Credit Card Skimming Devices
Skimming devices are easy to obtain and hard to spot…
CONSUMERS BEWARE: Hidden inside gas stations, on ATM machines or in waitress’ pockets, may be covert skimming devices used to collect your credit card information. Credit card skimming devices can be easily carried in a thieve’s pocket or attached to the card reader of any ATM machine or gas pump. Many times, a small camera is placed nearby to capture PINs. Short of paying cash, there’s very little you can do about this insidious crime.
Credit card skimming devices are easy to obtain and difficult to spot when in place. In fact, law-enforcement officials are frustrated that anyone, including criminals, can buy the hardware on the Internet for less than $40. Many small businesses buy the equipment for legitimate purposes, such as convenience-store owners who use the “point of sale” devices at their registers. Special Agent Supervisor Mike Phillips of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement said legislators need to create a federal law that requires merchants to provide a business license when buying the equipment to prevent fraudulant activity.
Planted skimming devices were found in card reader units at gas pumps in late 2006 and early 2007 in Seminole County, FL, with five known theft cases. When Kissimmee police realized the five people with fraudulent charges all ate at Shells and had the same waitress, a detective confronted the employee. Their waitress, who has since been fired, told police she was approached by a man at a Kissimmee bar who said he would pay cash for stolen card numbers. That man was later identified by police and arrested with an accomplice.
Tracking skimmers is difficult, and even if caught, there are no specific laws to make skimming a crime. Offenders are often charged with a variety of small offenses which equate to a slap on the wrist. “They’re the types of cases that we don’t hear about all the time because they’re fairly hard to catch,” said Phillips. Because of this, it’s tough to say whether the threat of skimming is on the rise. But with the low cost, ease of accessiblity and lack of protection, it’s safe to assume skimming is an attractive opportunity for criminal activity.
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