Card skimming is an escalating threat that affects businesses by compromising financial integrity and customer trust. Devices illegally installed on ATMs, POS terminals, or fuel pumps capture card data and PINs, leading to significant financial and reputational damage.

Impact on Businesses:

  • Unauthorized Purchases: Stolen card data is used for fraudulent transactions, resulting in financial losses.
  • Data Selling: Stolen information is sold to scammers, fueling illicit activities.
  • Identity Theft: Compromised card information leads to identity theft, harming business reputation.
  • Counterfeit Cards: Captured data is used to create counterfeit cards for fraudulent transactions.

How Skimming Works:

  1. Installation: Skimmers are covertly installed on payment devices, blending with legitimate equipment.
  2. Data Capture: Skimmers read and store card data during transactions, including card numbers and expiration dates.
  3. Data Theft: Stolen data is retrieved remotely or physically, used for unauthorized purchases, or sold on the black market.

Detecting and Preventing Skimming:

  1. Inspect Card Readers: Employees should look for unusual attachments, loose parts, or mismatched components that indicate tampering.
  2. Check Tamper-Evident Seals: Broken or tampered seals signal potential skimming devices.
  3. Wiggle the Card Reader: Legitimate readers are securely attached; loose readers suggest tampering.
  4. Inspect Keypads and Surroundings: Look for hidden cameras near keypads used to capture PINs.
  5. Compare Devices: Check for discrepancies between neighboring card readers and keypads.

Steps to Take If a Skimmer is Found:

  • Turn Off Access: Immediately disable the compromised device.
  • Contact Authorities: Report the device to local law enforcement and the County Agriculture Sealers of Weights and Measures Office or the CA Division of Measurement Standards (DMS).

Reporting and Support:

  • Local Law Enforcement: Contact the non-emergency number for your local police or sheriff’s office.
  • Weights and Measures Office: Visit the official website of your local County Office of Weights and Measures or the CA Division of Measurement Standards for contact details and reporting procedures.

By staying vigilant and following these guidelines, businesses can protect themselves and their customers from the pervasive threat of card skimming. For more detailed information on reporting and preventive measures, visit the official County Agricultural Commissioner and Sealer of Weights and Measures Contact Information. Together, we can keep our community safe from fraud.