NORFOLK, Va. (WVEC) – Fraud detectives in Norfolk are warning ATM users to beware of thieves attempting to steal your card information using a skimmer.
Thieves attach skimmers to ATMs, gas pumps and other places people swipe their credit and debit cards. Once in place, this sneaky bit of electronics steals the magnetic strip information from your card.
The thieves use this information to clone your card, and once they have a clone, they can drain your bank account, or run up huge bills and trash your credit before you even know it.
That's one reason credit card companies and stores are switching to EMV cards, or "chip" cards,
According to Norfolk Police, many times thieves also place a hidden camera somewhere near the key pad to record your personal-identification number. In some cases, criminals may install a fake PIN pad over the actual keyboard to capture your PIN, bypassing the need for a camera.
"You should definitely be more aware when you're using the ATMs. Definitely check if there's anything loose or out of the ordinary before you use it," said Det. Bailey Shelton with Norfolk police.
Using skimmers, thieves have stolen untold millions of dollars.
On Friday, a customer discovered a skimmer attached to an ATM inside the 7-Eleven at 4500 E. Princess Anne Road in Norfolk.
Detectives then inspected nearby 7-Eleven ATM machines and found two more skimmers at 5359 E. Princess Anne Road and 3650 N. Military Highway.
The skimmers have been removed, and police urge customers who used an ATM in that area to check their account for fraudulent activity.
However, investigators say they fear there could be more skimmers still out there.
"They were numbered. One of them was numbered all the way up to 13 so there could be quite a few more out there, not necessarily in our city but anywhere in the local jurisdiction," said Det. Shelton.
Police say they don't know of any potential victims right now.
Anyone with any information about ATM skimmers found at local convenience stores is encouraged to contact Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.
Ways to stop skimmers from stealing your money
Detectives recommend that if you use an ATM, always check for obvious signs of tampering, or loose items near the card reader or the key pad.
Always assume that someone is watching as you type in your PIN, whether it is over your shoulder or through a hidden camera. Cover your hand when you type in your sequence number. Even if you don't notice a skimmer at the ATM, covering your hand will help keep your PIN safe.
You should try avoiding swiping your card in the places most likely to have skimmers. Here are the three most risky places to swipe your debit card.
You should also set up text alerts on your cards so you know when you or anyone else swipes them. You can tell right away if hackers have stolen your information.
Mobile payment options are also becoming more popular and don't have the security flaws of traditional cards. Not sure how mobile payment works? Here's how to pay on the go using your Android or Apple smartphone.
