Card skimmer found at Berkshires Cumberland Farms

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. (WWLP) – A card skimming device was recovered from the Cumberland Farms in Great Barrington on Thursday.

According to the Great Barrington Police Department, officers were called to Cumberland Farms for a report of a skimmer found on a machine at the register. Other Cumberland Farms locations have also reported the presence of skimmers recently.

Police are encouraging residents to remain vigilant and report any irregularities with their transactions. No matter how protective you are of your credit card information, card skimming is largely unavoidable.

Card skimmers are illegal devices installed as gas pumps, ATMs, and other locations that can steal credit and debit card information. When swiped, the skimmer scans your card information and uses Bluetooth to send it stolen card information to the thief’s computer or phone.

According to the FBI, skimmers cost financial institutions and consumers more than $1 billion each year. It’s important to know how to detect these devices so you can protect your transactions.

Check to make sure the card reader is intact, and if it feels like it’s not properly installed, there could be a skimmer attached. Skimmers may also install hidden cameras, so protect your pin and check to make sure nothing looks out of place.

Checking card transactions regularly and setting up account alerts can also help you spot suspicious activity. If you do notice something wrong, call your card issuer immediately so they can cancel the card and protect your information.

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