Better Business Bureau explains how to protect yourself from card skimmers

BOARDMAN, Ohio (WKBN) – Earlier this week a card skimmer was found at the checkout of a local grocery store and this isn’t the first time this year that card skimmers have been seen at retailers in the area.

Skimming happens when illegal devices are put on card terminals, ATMs, or fuel pumps, to gather cardholders’ data.

Melissa Ames with the Better Business Bureau of the Mahoning Valley says as payment cards evolve from swipe to chip to tap, scam artists are coming up with new ways to get people to fall victim to their scams but there are some signs consumers can watch out for to protect themselves.

“It’s capturing both credit and debit cards, and don’t forget if you’re inserting it and you’re inputting your pin, they probably have that information as well,” Ames said.

Sometimes scammers install the skimmers right overtop of the terminal like the one found Monday at a grocery store on South Avenue in Boardman.

According to a police report, a customer was using the credit card terminal and noticed the top cover of the keypad came loose and the cashier realized it was a card skimmer.

Sometimes the skimmers are harder to spot.

“Some of the new ones which are capturing the chip technology, it’s a little thin strip of metal and you’re inserting your card and some people are having difficulty with that,” Ames said.

Ames says they’re more common in places where an employee isn’t always watching.

“We see them a lot at gas stations where maybe the attendant isn’t looking at them all the time or an ATM that might be placed in the lobby of a restaurant,” she said.

The FBI even recommends using fuel pumps closer to the store since those in sight of an attendant are less likely to be targeted by skimmers.

Ames says there are some other things consumers can do to protect themselves from skimmers.

“If you’re having trouble getting the card in, that’s the red flag that there might be something attached to that ATM.”

She also says when possible use the tap feature on cards. Tapping is harder for scammers to target than the swipe and chip features.

Ames also says stores are usually pretty vigilant at checking for skimmers since they want their customers to have a safe shopping experience.

The police report from the incident Monday also noted that the store requires daily checks of the card terminals since they’ve seen skimming devices pop up at other local retailers.

Ames says if you do fall victim to a card skimmer, report it to the store where it happened and keep an eye on your bank account.

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