Hacker
Professional
- Messages
- 1,043
- Reaction score
- 844
- Points
- 113
Credit Card Skimming: Victims of credit card skimming become overwhelmed by the scam. They detect fraudulent payments or money withdrawn from their accounts, but their credit and debit cards never leave their possession. How did the fraud happen?
Credit card skimming is a type of credit card theft in which fraudsters use a small device to steal credit card information as part of a legitimate credit or debit card transaction.
When a credit or debit card passes through the skimmer, the device captures and stores all the data stored on the card's magnetic stripe.
The strip contains the credit card number, expiration date, and full name of the credit card holder. Thieves use stolen data to commit fraudulent activities on the Internet or with a fake credit card.
Skimming at ATMs and gas stations
Credit card skimmers are often placed above the card reader at ATMs and gas stations. But skimmers can be placed over almost any credit card reader.
At ATMs, criminals can also place a small, undetectable camera nearby to record your PIN. This gives the thief all the information needed to make counterfeit cards and withdraw cash from the cardholder's checking account.
Skimming in restaurants and shops
From time to time, some retail and restaurant workers who work with credit cards are recruited into the skimming ring. These employees use handheld devices to withdraw funds from your credit card during a regular transaction.
For example, we usually give our cards to waiters to pay a restaurant bill. The waiter leaves with our credit cards, and for the dishonest waiter, this is a great opportunity to swipe the credit card through the skimmer without being detected.
How thieves use information
After stealing credit card information, the victims of the thieves either create cloned credit cards to shop at a store, use an account to shop online, or sell information online.
Victims of credit card skimming are often unaware of the theft until they notice unauthorized payments in their account, receive an unexpected card rejection, or receive an overdraft notice in the mail.
How to identify a credit card skimmer
Credit card withdrawals are designed to match flawlessly with the machine on which they are installed. Unless you're specifically looking for a skimming device, you might not notice anything out of the ordinary.
While you should look for credit card skimmers wherever you swipe your credit card, gas stations and remote ATMs are more likely to be changed.
Getting familiar with the looks of conventional credit card readers can help you discover that something is out of place. There are some telltale signs that a credit card skimmer is installed.
A credit card reader that protrudes far beyond the panel is an indicator because the skimmers are designed to be installed on top of an existing credit card reader. This is most noticeable when an extra piece appears to be attached to the rest of the credit card reader.
At a gas station, you can compare a suspicious credit card reader to readers at nearby pumps. If something looks unusual, do not pay through the pump. Pay inside or go to another gas station.
If a skimmer is installed, the credit card reader will dangle or move when wiggled. The credit card reader must be securely attached. Moving parts are an indication that the reader has been tampered with, or that a skimmer device has been attached to an existing reader.
Gas stations often place a protective label on the fuel pump, which allows you to find out if the dispenser cabinet panel has not been opened. When intact, the label has a flat red, blue, or black background.
However, once the seal has been broken, the words "Void Open" are displayed in white. If there is no seal, message is displayed or not, this is a sign that someone has gained access to the cabinet without permission. Inform your gas station service personnel and do not use a credit card ATM on this pump.
Many people do not take the time to inspect the fuel pump or ATM machine. Complacency is the thief's ally. Take a few minutes to inspect the car before believing that someone else was checking it.
Another way:
In addition to a card reader, thieves can place a fake keyboard on top of a real one to record keystrokes. That way, they can capture your billing pin or zip code in addition to your credit or debit card details.
If it seems that the keys are difficult to press, remove the card and use another ATM. Use a bank-operated ATM that is less likely to have a skimmer. Not an ATM in a store or a gas station.
How to prevent and detect credit card skimming
Many banks and credit card issuers are getting better at detecting fraudulent transactions. However, they may not process suspicious payments until you confirm that the transaction was initiated by you.
Simply using a credit card puts you at risk of falling prey to credit card skimming. In order to catch fraudulent payments related to the skimming incident, you need to keep track of your accounts frequently.
Monitor your online checking and credit card accounts at least once a week and immediately report any suspicious activity to your bank or credit card issuer.
Here are some more tips for avoiding credit card skimming.
Conclusions
If you think you have been the victim of a credit card withdrawal, contact your bank or credit card issuer, even if you have not found any fraudulent payments. The sooner you report your suspicions, the more you will protect yourself from liability for unauthorized charges.
Providing as much detail as possible about the location of the skimmer (such as the gas station you visited by pump number, or the location of the ATM machine) can help the bank prevent future losses.
We hope this article was useful to you. Please share it with anyone who you think will appreciate this information!
Credit card skimming is a type of credit card theft in which fraudsters use a small device to steal credit card information as part of a legitimate credit or debit card transaction.
When a credit or debit card passes through the skimmer, the device captures and stores all the data stored on the card's magnetic stripe.
The strip contains the credit card number, expiration date, and full name of the credit card holder. Thieves use stolen data to commit fraudulent activities on the Internet or with a fake credit card.
Skimming at ATMs and gas stations
Credit card skimmers are often placed above the card reader at ATMs and gas stations. But skimmers can be placed over almost any credit card reader.
At ATMs, criminals can also place a small, undetectable camera nearby to record your PIN. This gives the thief all the information needed to make counterfeit cards and withdraw cash from the cardholder's checking account.
Skimming in restaurants and shops
From time to time, some retail and restaurant workers who work with credit cards are recruited into the skimming ring. These employees use handheld devices to withdraw funds from your credit card during a regular transaction.
For example, we usually give our cards to waiters to pay a restaurant bill. The waiter leaves with our credit cards, and for the dishonest waiter, this is a great opportunity to swipe the credit card through the skimmer without being detected.
How thieves use information
After stealing credit card information, the victims of the thieves either create cloned credit cards to shop at a store, use an account to shop online, or sell information online.
Victims of credit card skimming are often unaware of the theft until they notice unauthorized payments in their account, receive an unexpected card rejection, or receive an overdraft notice in the mail.
How to identify a credit card skimmer
Credit card withdrawals are designed to match flawlessly with the machine on which they are installed. Unless you're specifically looking for a skimming device, you might not notice anything out of the ordinary.
While you should look for credit card skimmers wherever you swipe your credit card, gas stations and remote ATMs are more likely to be changed.
Getting familiar with the looks of conventional credit card readers can help you discover that something is out of place. There are some telltale signs that a credit card skimmer is installed.
A credit card reader that protrudes far beyond the panel is an indicator because the skimmers are designed to be installed on top of an existing credit card reader. This is most noticeable when an extra piece appears to be attached to the rest of the credit card reader.
At a gas station, you can compare a suspicious credit card reader to readers at nearby pumps. If something looks unusual, do not pay through the pump. Pay inside or go to another gas station.
If a skimmer is installed, the credit card reader will dangle or move when wiggled. The credit card reader must be securely attached. Moving parts are an indication that the reader has been tampered with, or that a skimmer device has been attached to an existing reader.
Gas stations often place a protective label on the fuel pump, which allows you to find out if the dispenser cabinet panel has not been opened. When intact, the label has a flat red, blue, or black background.
However, once the seal has been broken, the words "Void Open" are displayed in white. If there is no seal, message is displayed or not, this is a sign that someone has gained access to the cabinet without permission. Inform your gas station service personnel and do not use a credit card ATM on this pump.
Many people do not take the time to inspect the fuel pump or ATM machine. Complacency is the thief's ally. Take a few minutes to inspect the car before believing that someone else was checking it.
Another way:
In addition to a card reader, thieves can place a fake keyboard on top of a real one to record keystrokes. That way, they can capture your billing pin or zip code in addition to your credit or debit card details.
If it seems that the keys are difficult to press, remove the card and use another ATM. Use a bank-operated ATM that is less likely to have a skimmer. Not an ATM in a store or a gas station.
How to prevent and detect credit card skimming
Many banks and credit card issuers are getting better at detecting fraudulent transactions. However, they may not process suspicious payments until you confirm that the transaction was initiated by you.
Simply using a credit card puts you at risk of falling prey to credit card skimming. In order to catch fraudulent payments related to the skimming incident, you need to keep track of your accounts frequently.
Monitor your online checking and credit card accounts at least once a week and immediately report any suspicious activity to your bank or credit card issuer.
Here are some more tips for avoiding credit card skimming.
- See where you shop. It appears that credit card incidents are the most common occurrences in restaurants, bars and gas stations. Self-checkouts of retail stores and ATMs, especially standalone ATMs (those that are not in a bank) are also places to find skimmers.
- Check ATM machines before using them. In ATM machines, skimmers often place a camera in the field of view of the keyboard to steal your PIN. These cameras are often tiny and difficult to spot. When using an ATM, cover your hand when entering your PIN so that the camera cannot see what you are dialing.
- Do not give your card to anyone for cleaning. Thieves will require you to clear the magnetic stripe on your credit card to make it work better. These thieves simply swipe your credit card through the credit card skimmer and take your credit card details.
Conclusions
If you think you have been the victim of a credit card withdrawal, contact your bank or credit card issuer, even if you have not found any fraudulent payments. The sooner you report your suspicions, the more you will protect yourself from liability for unauthorized charges.
Providing as much detail as possible about the location of the skimmer (such as the gas station you visited by pump number, or the location of the ATM machine) can help the bank prevent future losses.
We hope this article was useful to you. Please share it with anyone who you think will appreciate this information!
