WALMART shoppers are being warned to check their bank accounts after a sneaky skimming device was discovered at a self-checkout.
The thin, card-swiping gadget was one of five devices found at different stores in the same area.
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The sinister gadgets were found at businesses in west Gastonia, North Carolina.
Gastonia police say the device at Walmart was stealing card details in real-time, passing them straight to scammers.
They refused to name the other stores where devices were found but warned shoppers to stay alert, Gaston Gazette reported.
Card skimmers are used to read card numbers and PINs, making it easy for thieves to drain bank accounts.
Ted Rossman, senior industry analyst at Bankrate, said even chip-enabled cards aren’t always safe.
“Scammers trick the system into asking for a swipe instead of reading the chip,” Rossman explained.
He said fraudsters place a fake payment terminal over the real one – and it’s almost impossible to tell.
“It looks real. The machine then tells you to swipe because it doesn’t recognize the chip,” he said.
That’s when the skimmer snatches your data, handing it over to crooks instantly.
Skimmers pop up anywhere digital payments are used, but some spots are bigger targets.
“Skimmers are more common at self checkouts or gas stations,” Rossman said.
“It’s harder to put one of these in under the cashier’s nose.”
A dimly lit gas station or a busy self-checkout are prime locations, making it simple for scammers to slip them on.
One way to spot a skimmer is if something feels off with the card reader.
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.
“The biggest tip-off is if something doesn’t fit right,” Rossman warned.
Unfortunately, most people don’t notice until it’s too late.
Experts say it’s crucial to check bank statements regularly for fraudulent transactions.
Rossman also advised using credit cards over debit cards since they offer better fraud protection.
POLICE TIPS
Gastonia Police Detectives have issued a consumer warning after Bluetooth skimming devices were found at local stores, including a self-checkout at Walmart in West Gastonia.
These devices steal card details and PINs in real-time, sending the information to nearby scammers.
The issue has been reported across the Charlotte area, prompting police to caution shoppers.
Detectives in their Facebook post provided tips on how to spot and avoid these scams.
To help protect themselves, police suggest looking for signs of tampering on card readers.
If the keypad seems thicker than normal or feels flimsy, it could be a red flag.
Additionally, shoppers are advised to always use their card as a credit card instead of debit, which requires entering a PIN.
It’s also safer to use payment options with a cashier present or choose the “tap to pay” option whenever possible.
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