Public asked to take precautions as "skimmers" steal ATM, EBT card data

As thieves increasingly target debit cards with “skimming” devices attached to ATM's, gas pumps and other sales terminals, state officials are asking members of the public to take action to protect their data.

They’re particularly troubled by widespread theft from EBT cards held by families who depend on federal SNAP—or, food stamp—benefits. State Social Services Commissioner Andrea Barton Reeves says $3.7 million has been stolen from SNAP accounts between this year and last. The state has processed more than 7,500 applications for replacement benefits .

Barton Reeves says unsuspecting EBT holders will make what appears to be a successful transaction, only to have their data stolen and their account drained. “The card number itself and the PIN have been compromised and those benefits have been taken,” says Barton Reeves, “and often when the person goes back to use their card, all the benefits are gone.”

The threat is so common that Consumer Protection Commissioner Bryan Cafferelli says EBT holders should change their PIN code after every transaction: “After you go to the store and you use your EBT card to purchase groceries, even if they capture the PIN and you change it, they will not be able to use it.”

State police suggest all ATM card holders take precautions, including:

--inspect the keypad you’re using to see if any device has been attached to it, especially at gas stations and ATM’s

--do not use any machine that appears to be tampered with

--use a gas pump that’s close to the gas station—it’s less likely to have been tampered with

--avoid using “third party” ATM’s

--as you type, cover your PIN number with your other hand

--use “tap to pay” systems when available

--report fraudulent charges to your bank or credit card company and report incidents to police

Meanwhile, stores are beginning to catch up to the thieves by inspecting their machines multiple times daily, according to Wayne Pesce of the Connecticut Food Association, who says, “We’re trying to get out in front of this and catch this and arrest it before it happens. We’re seeing some progress on that front.”

Pesce says stores have stopped at least a dozen skimming plots around the state over the last few weeks.

Barton Reeves says there’s also been progress in stopping the theft of EBT benefits, with a 48% drop in SNAP benefit theft between June and early August.