Walmart self-checkout warning after cops release troubling pic of hidden device used to steal shoppers’ credit card info
WALMART customers are being urged to be extra vigilant at self-checkout stations following a skimmer device discovery. The skimmer was found at a Walmart in Bayonne, New Jersey, and police shared an image of the troubling device. GettyThe skimmer device was a self-checkout machine at a Walmart in New Jersey[/caption] Bayonne Police DepartmentPolice shared an image of the skimmer that was discovered[/caption] Skimmers are designed to steal credit card information and make shopper’s financial data vulnerable. Police do not know who the culprit was yet and are still investigating with no arrests, News 12 New Jersey reported. The Bayonne Walmart had another skimmer discovered just three weeks ago as well. A shopper of the Bayonne Walmart, Frances Milliner, feels unsafe knowing her information can be stolen due to the skimmer’s technology. Milliner has also had her information stolen before in other situations and knows the struggle it comes with. “Very unsafe,” Milliner told News 12. “The new world of technology. “We’re going to have to go back to putting our money in mason jars and putting them in socks and hiding them around the house.” COMMON SCAM Unfortunately, coming across a skimmer device is not uncommon and many have been found recently. A San Diego, California man Stephen Schnare, had a run-in with a skimmer while he was using an ATM at his local CVS. The skimmer device he found was a unique version of one as it was shaped like a card. It was also shoved deep into the machine and was not visible from the outside. He said, “I was like this is weird.” “It was a card-shaped device that wasn’t visible. “It was all the way in the machine originally.” One skimmer device can also capture the financial information of multiple people. HOW TO SPOT A SKIMMER There are a few things to looks out for when trying to spot a skimmer ATM skimmer devices usually fit over the original card reader. Some ATM skimmers are inserted in the card reader, placed in the terminal, or situated along exposed cables. Pinhole cameras installed on ATMs record a customer entering their PIN. Pinhole camera placement varies widely. In some cases, keypad overlays are used instead of pinhole cameras to records PINs. Keypad overlays record a customer’s keystrokes. Skimming devices store data to be downloaded or wirelessly transferred later. Credit – The FBI After doing research, Schnare found a forum where people were talking about experiencing suspicious activity on their cards after using that same ATM. “I read a couple of people that had used this actual ATM here then found out their card was locked or blocked or anonymous use was found on their records,” he said. The FBI has shared a tip to help avoid coming across a skimmer. “Inspect ATMs, POS terminals, and other card readers before using,” the FBI said. “Look for anything loose, crooked, damaged, or scratched. Don’t use any card reader if you notice anything unusual.”
WALMART customers are being urged to be extra vigilant at self-checkout stations following a skimmer device discovery.
The skimmer was found at a Walmart in Bayonne, New Jersey, and police shared an image of the troubling device.
Skimmers are designed to steal credit card information and make shopper’s financial data vulnerable.
Police do not know who the culprit was yet and are still investigating with no arrests, News 12 New Jersey reported.
The Bayonne Walmart had another skimmer discovered just three weeks ago as well.
A shopper of the Bayonne Walmart, Frances Milliner, feels unsafe knowing her information can be stolen due to the skimmer’s technology.
Milliner has also had her information stolen before in other situations and knows the struggle it comes with.
“Very unsafe,” Milliner told News 12.
“The new world of technology.
“We’re going to have to go back to putting our money in mason jars and putting them in socks and hiding them around the house.”
COMMON SCAM
Unfortunately, coming across a skimmer device is not uncommon and many have been found recently.
A San Diego, California man Stephen Schnare, had a run-in with a skimmer while he was using an ATM at his local CVS.
The skimmer device he found was a unique version of one as it was shaped like a card.
It was also shoved deep into the machine and was not visible from the outside.
He said, “I was like this is weird.”
“It was a card-shaped device that wasn’t visible.
“It was all the way in the machine originally.”
One skimmer device can also capture the financial information of multiple people.
HOW TO SPOT A SKIMMER
There are a few things to looks out for when trying to spot a skimmer
- ATM skimmer devices usually fit over the original card reader.
- Some ATM skimmers are inserted in the card reader, placed in the terminal, or situated along exposed cables.
- Pinhole cameras installed on ATMs record a customer entering their PIN. Pinhole camera placement varies widely.
- In some cases, keypad overlays are used instead of pinhole cameras to records PINs. Keypad overlays record a customer’s keystrokes.
- Skimming devices store data to be downloaded or wirelessly transferred later.
Credit – The FBI
After doing research, Schnare found a forum where people were talking about experiencing suspicious activity on their cards after using that same ATM.
“I read a couple of people that had used this actual ATM here then found out their card was locked or blocked or anonymous use was found on their records,” he said.
The FBI has shared a tip to help avoid coming across a skimmer.
“Inspect ATMs, POS terminals, and other card readers before using,” the FBI said.
“Look for anything loose, crooked, damaged, or scratched. Don’t use any card reader if you notice anything unusual.”
