2 wanted after ‘skimmer’ found inside North Carolina Dollar General store, police say

ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C. (WNCN) — Police in North Carolina said Monday they are warning the public and looking for two people who installed a “skimming device” in a Dollar General store last month.

The incident was first reported by management to officers on July 30 at the Dollar General on 8th Street in Roanoke Rapids, according to the Roanoke Rapids Police Department.

A skimmer is typically installed over a card payment device or ATM and is usually very difficult to spot. The skimmer collects credit or debit card information when a card is swiped or tapped at the payment device.

Roanoke Rapids Detective J. Salmon reviewed video surveillance of two men who had placed the skimming device in the store on Friday, July 26, officials said.

“During these four days it is unknown how many credit and/or debit cards could have been skimmed,” officers said in the release.

Police said the skimming device was intercepted by police — and it’s possible the suspects did not take any data because the device was taken by police first.

Officers said anyone who used their card at Dollar General during the dates of the skimming device should do the following:

• Contact your bank or financial institution: The first thing you should do is contact your bank or card issuer to report the fraudulent activity. They can work quickly to cancel any compromised cards and issue a replacement to prevent the criminal from using it any further.

• Check your account: You should review your account statement for any unusual or unauthorized transactions. Often, criminals will try and act fast by getting the most out of a stolen card as soon as possible. Look for large transactions relating to technology, appliances, travel, and anything else that might seem out of the ordinary.

• Protect your identity: If your credit card was skimmed, consider placing a fraud alert or freeze on your credit report. This will prevent anyone from opening new accounts in your name.

Police said they are trying to identify the two men involved.

Officers said if anyone knows anything about the men to contact the Halifax County NC Crime Stoppers at (252) 583-8444.

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