CUSTOMERS are being warned to double-check their bank accounts after a dangerous device was discovered at a popular discount store.
Alarming info-stealing technology was recently found at a Dollar General, prompting officials to warn shoppers that they might be losing cash without even knowing.
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The manager of the dollar store warned that she didn’t know how long the skimming device had been in place at the retailer.
Thieves sneak card skimmers onto card reader machines to steal information from customers.
All it takes is inserting your card and entering your pin number for criminals to steal your account information.
“If it’s been there for a while, there may be a lot of victims,” said Sergeant Aaron Benson with the Sioux Falls Police Department, according to CBS local affiliate KELO.
“A lot of times, that information can be kept and used later.”
Experts say skimmers are now cheap and widely available online.
“They can be people that are out of town, and they don’t need much technology anymore,” said Jessie Schmidt, vice president of South Dakota’s Better Business Bureau.
“It’s very, very sophisticated.”
Schmidt added, “You can buy a credit card skimmer on Amazon for less than $100.”
Because skimmers are often attached to card readers, they blend in with real equipment.
Thieves can use the stolen information immediately or wait months.
Victims may not realize their accounts were compromised until much later.
Benson warned that a single device can collect hundreds of card numbers.
Cops said if you find a skimmer at a store, try not to touch it.
What is a skimmer device?
A skimmer device is a fraud tool designed to steal sensitive information from credit or debit cards during transactions.
- Imagine a skimmer device as a sneaky thief that hides on ATMs or card machines.
- Its job is to secretly steal your credit or debit card information when you use it for a transaction.
- These devices are like tiny spies that can copy your card details, including the card number and PIN, without you even realizing it.
- Skimmers can be cleverly disguised to look just like the regular card reader, making them hard to spot.
- Once they have your information, bad guys can use it to make fake cards or buy things without your permission, causing a lot of trouble and stress.
- It’s important to always be cautious and check for anything unusual on card machines before using them to protect yourself from these sneaky devices.
“We have had results in the past of getting DNA or any other type of evidence off those items,” Benson said.
“If you do discover one, call law enforcement.”
Officials say these crimes can often be committed by out-of-state or even international criminals.
THREE Ts
Police say many skimming investigations begin with sharp-eyed customers who notice something unusual about a card reader or detect suspicious charges after filling up.
Experts recommend the “three Ts” – tug, tap, and track – as the best way to avoid becoming a victim.
If a skimmer is attached, tugging on the card reader could cause it to pop off or shift, revealing it’s a fake.
Most of these devices are designed to sit snugly on top of real readers, closely mimicking their shape, color, and feel.
Unlike visible tampering, skimmers often rely on a hidden chip inside to quietly harvest card data, which can then be used for unauthorized purchases or to empty an account.
Instead of relying solely on visual cues, experts urge customers to get hands-on – jiggle the reader, feel for loose parts, and be wary of anything that seems off.
If something doesn’t feel right, report it to store staff immediately. And if you spot suspicious charges after using a pump or terminal, contact your card issuer without delay.
Authorities suggest that the safest bet is to use tap to pay whenever possible. That way, your card never touches a skimmer at all.
As for the third “T,” track your bank statements closely.
Anyone who notices fraudulent charges should contact their credit card issuer immediately.
Last month, a skimming device was discovered at a 7-Eleven location in Pennsylvania, prompting police to issue a warning to gas station customers.
The ultra-thin device had been installed on a credit card reader inside the store and was capable of stealing card information in seconds.
Authorities said the skimmer was so discreet that most shoppers wouldn’t notice it until fraudulent charges began appearing.