Skimming devices found in 2 Connecticut Big Y stores

CONNECTICUT (WTNH) — Big Y representatives Monday announced they’re investigating after a skimming device was found on check-out terminals in multiple Connecticut stores.

Representatives said it was June 29 when they realized skimming devices were attached to a single terminal in both the Naugatuck and Plainville stores.

They said they are working with state and federal law enforcement to investigate how the devices were installed, but the company believes they were detected very quickly.

The Naugatuck device was estimated to be on the terminal between 12:38 and 7:39 p.m. on June 29. The device in Plainville was believed on the terminal between 2:58 and 6:49 p.m. the same day.

Officials advised customers to review their bank and credit card statements for fraudulent charges, but said they are not yet aware of any fraud or otherwise compromise of personal information due to the skimming devices.

“If we learn that any particular customer’s information was compromised, we will promptly notify them and provide them with additional information so that they can take steps to protect themselves,” company representatives said.

Fred Scholl, a cybersecurity expert at Quinnipiac University, said criminals use skimmers to steal your personal data at places like grocery stores, gas stations and on ATM machines.

“People making the skimming hardware have made it much smaller, less obtrusive, much easier to put into a card slot,” Scholl said.

He recommends checking your bank and credit card statements on a regular basis, looking out for broken hardware and using contactless payment whenever possible.

Big Y customers with questions or concerns are told to contact 1-800-828-2688 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

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