Credit card skimmers found at Walmart checkout lines in the Northeast
Law enforcement officials are warning shoppers to keep a close eye on the payment terminal the next time they’re in a checkout line. Video from a Walmart in Erwin, New York, nearly 80 miles west of Binghamton, shows three people working together to provide credit card skimmers to the payment terminal in a checkout line. The process took less than 30 seconds, and the trio pulled it off in front of the cashier, who didn’t notice what had happened. Cases of skimming have occurred at 16 different Walmart stores across New York and Maine, according to authorities. “Unfortunately, there are going to be a lot of victims involved in this,”[ads1]; said Trooper Lynnea Crane, a public information officer for the New York State Police. Skimming is when thieves attach a device to a payment terminal that often goes unnoticed by shoppers and store employees. These the devices can collect credit or debit card data, as well as a personal identification number. The FBI says skimming costs consumers more than $1 billion each year.” Technology sometimes makes things safer and better. They also make it easier for criminals, and they’re always working on the next front, said Brad Leonard, assistant special agent in charge of the Miami field office of the US Secret Service. “We stop them one way and they find another way to do it.” In a statement, Walmart said it is reviewing protocols and adding enhanced security measures to better protect in-store transactions.”Providing customers with a safe shopping experience is a top priority,” Walmart said in its statement. Authorities say the best tip to protect against skimming is for shoppers to make sure they cover the number pad at a payment terminal when entering their PIN. In addition, customers should try to take a look at different payment terminals to see if they look similar to the one they are going to use. If any part of the payment terminal looks loose, warped or damaged, customers should use a different machine. Related story:
Law enforcement officials are warning customers to keep a close eye on the payment terminal the next time they stand at the checkout counter.
Video from a Walmart in Erwin, New York, nearly 80 miles west of Binghamton, shows three people working together to attach a credit card skimmer to the payment terminal in a checkout line. The process took less than 30 seconds and the trio pulled it off in front of the cashier, who didn’t notice what had happened.
Cases of skimming have occurred at 16 different Walmart stores across New York and Maine, according to authorities.
“Unfortunately, there are going to be a lot of victims involved in this,” said Trooper Lynnea Crane, a public information officer for the New York State Police.
Skimming is when thieves connect a device to a payment terminal that often goes unnoticed by shoppers and store employees. These devices may collect credit or debit card data, as well as a personal identification number.
The FBI says skimming costs consumers more than $1 billion each year.
“Technology sometimes makes things safer and better. They also make it easier for criminals, and they’re always working on the next front,” said Brad Leonard, assistant special agent in charge of the Miami field office of the US Secret Service. “We stop them one way and they find another way to do it.”
In a statement, Walmart said it is reviewing protocols and adding enhanced security measures to better protect in-store transactions.
“Providing customers with a safe shopping experience is a top priority,” Walmart said in its statement.
Authorities say the best tip to protect against skimming is for shoppers to make sure they cover the number pad at a payment terminal when entering their PIN.
In addition, customers should try to take a look at different payment terminals to see if they look similar to the one they are going to use. If any part of the payment terminal looks loose, warped or damaged, customers should use a different machine.
