Klamath County Sheriff’s Office Deputies were recently alerted by a local business of the discovery of a card skimming device affixed to their credit/debit card reader. Skimmers are devices used to collect card numbers that are later recovered to make fraudulent purchases. 

 


Skimmers can usually be spotted by doing a quick visual or physical inspection prior to swiping or inserting your card. They are most often found at ATM’s and gas stations but are being located at retails stores and restaurants. Before using your card, check for alignment issues between the card reader and the panel underneath it. The 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. Feel around the reader and try to see if anything is already inserted- if there is, it may be a thin plastic circuit board that can steal card information. If the buttons on a keypad are too hard to push, don’t use it. 

 

Consider using a credit card rather than a debit card when making transactions. Most credit cards have a zero-liability policy meaning in case of fraud, the cardholder has no responsibility to pay back those funds to the issuer. Regularly monitor your credit / debit card activity by checking your bank statements. Report any suspicious activity on your accounts to both your bank and law enforcement so others don’t become victims as well.

 

Refer to the Federal Trade Commission for Consumer Advice at: Watch out for card skimming at the gas pump | Consumer Advice (ftc.gov) or the Los Angeles County Consumer and Business Affairs website for helpful information at: Understanding Card Skimmers and How to Protect Yourself – Consumer & Business (lacounty.gov)