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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Skimming Machines That Steal Your CC Info. How can you tell?

Skimming machines that steal your CC info.Skimming machines have become more and more common in today’s age. It is a sad unavoidable truth that we must be cautious when using ATMs. This article covers what skimming machines are, how you can tell if the ATM has one, and how to avoid them.

Skimming Machines That Steal Your CC Info. How can you tell?

What is a skimming machine?

A skimming machine is a machine that automatically steals (skims) debit or credit card details. While this used to be done manually, there have now been small devices designed to make it easy for them. A skimming machine is typically a small device that clips on top of a normal card reader. It looks almost the same as a normal card reader, so it can be hard to spot. The difference is, a skimmer keeps a record of your card details, and in some cases, your key presses. Meaning when the scammers come to pick up their skimmer, they have everything they need to empty your accounts, and you haven’t even realized your card details have been stolen. The details about your card are stored in its magnetic strip, so once that has been read, they know everything.

Skimming Machines That Steal Your CC Info. How can you tell?

Skimming machines that steal your CC info

How can you recognize skimming machines that steal your CC info?

There are a few ways to tell if the card reader has a skimmer attached.

First, does it pass the eye test? Not all skimmers are well fitted on and realistic looking. If you are looking at a card reader and it just looks off, if it doesn’t seem quite right, just leave it. Your gut instinct is very often right, and in these situations, it is better to be safe than sorry. The best practice is to try to pull it off. If it comes off easily it is a skimmer. They simply overlay it on the original. The pull a bit see what happens.

Second, give the card reader a hard pull, as mention above. If you tuck your fingers into the insert and pull hard, you are sure to find out if there is a skimmer or not. If bits of the card reader comes off, its a skimmer. If anything comes off with a circuit board in it, you can be 100% sure. A real machine firstly won’t break when you pull it and doesn’t have any of the card reading components on the outside of the machine; it’s all internal.

TotesNewsworthy Suggest you Pull on the Insert

Skimming Machines That Steal Your CC Info. How can you tell?

Lastly, look for the finer details that don’t add up. Are the keys slightly too thick? Is there scuffing and markings around the insert that shouldn’t be there? If you find that the graphic details, such as instructions for use, are slightly covered up, there is a good chance it is because a skimmer has been attached. Lastly, look for small cameras aimed at the card reader. Not all skimmers are capable of stealing your keypresses; some need the aid of a camera to piece together all the data.

Close-up of an ATM system reading debit and credit bank cards

Where are they most likely to be found?

The most common places to find them are on ATMs outside, not attached to a bank. Seemingly random ATMs down the street are most likely to contain a skimmer. This is because connecting the skimmer without getting caught is much easier. Another widespread place to find them is on fuel pumps at gas stations. Those pay at pump ones. They are very common places to find skimmers, as they are easy to attach at night with no one around. They are also easily attached during the day, while pumping gas, and collected once they have been used while pumping gas. You can always pay inside to be safe.

What to do if you find skimming machines that steal your CC info?

If you do happen to find one, the first thing you should do is take a picture and then immediately leave. Incase the thieves are watching. If you find one at a gas station, call the police. There is a good chance that an employee is the one who put it there, and you don’t want a violent confrontation. If you find one outside a bank, go and inform the bank manager. It is up to you in this situation if you want to notify the police yourself or leave it to the bank to handle it. Any other ones found, just leave and call the police from a cafe where you are safe.

Hand put credit card In slot of credit card reader with blurry cashier

How to avoid skimming machines that steal your CC info?

The best way to avoid skimming machines that steal your CC info is pretty simple. Only use ATMs inside a bank. They are by far the most secure, for apparent reasons. If you check the ATM in the ways mentioned above, you will find the skimmer if there is one. Remember, if you do happen to find one it is most important to keep yourself safe, you can inform the police later.

Read more – New Car Buying Scams and How To Avoid Them

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20 COMMENTS

  1. Such an informative article. I never read this type of thing before. Learned a lot about cc skimming. Thanks for sharing the news.

  2. Very informative article which explains how to identify Skimming and what are the dangers of it. It is important for anyone who uses ATM devices to know about this.

  3. Yeah we should be aware of skimming machines, everybody use ATM now a days, we should be careful or our details can be used by someone else. Thank you for the information now I know how it works and what should I do.

  4. It is important for anyone who uses ATM devices to know about this. Very informative article which explains how to identify Skimming and what are the dangers of it.

  5. Nowadays ATM using is must for us but we aren’t careful in using it. The main reason is that our information can be stool. But in this article it was shown about it’s use and details of ATM. Thanks for sharing.

  6. This is a good reminder of how scumbags in the world rip off everyday citizens. My husband and I use cash when we go to pay at the pump gas stations because we saw this on the news a while ago.

  7. The article is very nice and helpful for everyone, Thanks for sharing this amazing article. Its an informative article. i like this article and i want to share this in social site

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