SHOPPERS have been warned to think twice before using a car reader as cops discover a nearly invisible info-stealing device at CVS.
Eagle-eyed officials said there was a razor-thin detail that proved the point of sale could instantly yank bank information from a shopper.
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Authorities are warning the public to stay vigilant after the scam was uncovered at a CVS location in Akron, Ohio, approximately forty miles from Cleveland.
Akron police found the device attached to an ATM inside the store on Friday.
They urged shoppers to immediately check their bank accounts, as they have no idea how long the skimmer had been installed.
Cops shared side-by-side pictures of the card reader with and without the device attached to show how seamlessly it blends in.
The skimmer appeared to have snapped right on the ATM, adding just fractions of an inch to the normal look.
Skimming devices are thin strips that read card numbers and steal payment information from customers.
The readers are tiny so they go unnoticed by shoppers as thieves disguise them into the machine.
One key detail to watch for is the wider borders on the card-reading device.
Skimmers typically have larger borders to fit over the original credit card reader.
Another red flag is if the backlight for the keys is dim or completely absent.
A third warning sign is if the frame around the card reader feels loose or can be moved.
Officials have urged shoppers to physically jiggle the device and see whether a piece feels like it could easily pop off.
Also, check the keypad closely if the keys look unusually thick or feel different when pressed; the device might be a skimmer.
If they feel sticky or spongy when pressed, someone may be trying to steal your information via a card skimmer.
The sixth thing to note is the space between the keys and the bottom of the device.
A large space below the last row of keys could indicate that the device is fake.
SKAMMY SKIMMERS
Card skimming is a billion-dollar problem with the FBI estimating losses for consumers and banks exceeding $1 billion every year.
Thieves can install skimmers in just seconds and don’t need to come back to the scene to collect stolen data.
These devices grab your card information when you swipe the magnetic strip through them.
They’re often placed over card readers at ATMs, self-checkout stations, and gas pumps to secretly capture your details.
The sneaky devices take some time to install, so they typically are not found at a busy self-checkout in a big supermarket.
They are often found at gas stations or other locations where consumers pay outside.
Some scammer place cameras near card readers to capture credit card information and steal PINs based on consumers’ hand movements.
Authorities recommend using chip-enabled cards or tap-to-pay methods for increased security, as these transactions are harder to skim than traditional card swipes.
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