Cover fingers with the other hand while entering a pin to block potential cameras. Try to only use official bank ATMs instead of nonbank ATMs that are often found inside convenience stores or bars. If any part of a gas pump’s card reader looks suspicious, pay for gas inside with the cashier and let them know there may be a skimmer installed at the pump. Stay vigilant when using a credit card to pay for gas or when withdrawing cash at an ATM. If a restaurant is involved in a scam, there may be no way to know because cards are often handed to the server who can then swipe the card through a skimmer before giving it back to the customer. Make sure the card reader looks as it should. It’s much more difficult for a thief to install a card skimmer on a point-of-sale (POS) system at a retail store, but it can happen. If the buttons on an ATM’s keypad are too hard to push, don’t use that ATM and try another one. The FTC has a photo example of a card skimming device on their website.Īuthentic card readers are robustly manufactured, meaning if any part of the card reader can easily move around, then it’s probably been installed illegally by a thief. Feel around the reader and try to wiggle it to see if it can easily come out of place. Try looking inside the card reader to see if anything is already inserted-if there is, it may be a thin plastic circuit board that can steal card information.Ī physical inspection of a card reader and keypad can often reveal fraudulent devices. If the tape looks ripped or broken, avoid using the card reader because a thief may have tampered with it. Gas pumps should have a security tape or sticker over the cabinet panel.
Compare the card reader to others at a neighboring ATM or gas pump and look out for any differences. Skimmers are often placed on top of the actual card reader making it stick out at an odd angle or cover arrows in a panel. Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months How To Check for a SkimmerĪlthough skimmers can be hard to spot, it’s possible to identify a skimming device by doing a visual and physical inspection.īefore using an ATM or gas pump, check for alignment issues between the card reader and the panel underneath it.
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