Using your credit card at public terminals is getting even more …

PhotoPhoto (c) Sanjagrujic – Getty ImagesMugging is so yesterday. Thieves are asking themselves why go to all that trouble of snatching someone’s purse or wallet and risking bodily harm when all they need to do is to steal all the juicy data they can get from someone’s credit card electronically.

A new report from financial tech company Credello says that credit card skimming is one of the five most pressing credit-related scams in 2023. All it involves is inserting your card or swiping it at inauthentic payment points such as ATM machines where consumers aren’t likely to detect them. 

But what if you ask “What about the chip in my credit card – doesn’t it protect me?” The answer is this: swiper snipers aren’t looking for data on the chip.

Instead, they’re looking for the data on the magnetic strip on the back of the card.

Where to skip the swipe 

What places pose the biggest dangers for credit card swiping? Well, non-bank ATMs (like you might see at a convenience store) are one. LaToya Irby at TheBalanceMoney counts mobile vendors, gas stations, self-checkout lines, and restaurants in her Top 5, too.

ConsumerAffairs set out to find how the worst of these problem areas work and here’s what we found.

Gas stations: “Gas stations are a haven for credit card thieves, as the pumps see a lot of customers and often receive minimal supervision. As a result, thieves have ample opportunity to install skimmers and sometimes tiny cameras that capture PIN numbers,” Scott M. Irby at GoBankingRates said. 

Believe it or not, gas station skimming is so off the hook that the Secret Service – yes, the ones that protect the POTUS – has gotten involved.  Less than a year ago, the bureau sent a number of Miami residents to the pen for laundering thousands of gift cards that were obtained using fraudulent debit and credit cards encoded with information stolen using gas station skimming devices. 

Mobile vendors: Do you buy food at food trucks or go to art shows or music festivals?

There are skimmers there, too. The problem is that you’re in such a hurry to get your taco, buy your cool-looking handcrafted vase, or that beer you want to toast your favorite band with that you’re not really paying attention to the transaction or taking the time to case out the vendor to determine how legit they are.

Restaurants: Credit card swiping at restaurants happens more than you might think. “Restaurants and bars are two of the toughest kinds of businesses for consumers to protect their credit card data, purely because of how they operate,” Phaedra Cook with the HoustonPress said.

“In those situations, it is common for the server to take the credit card to the card swipe. It’s almost always located somewhere else — often out of sight of the patron,” and that is the worst scenario for potential swiping.

The potential goes up exponentially when people are in a group and hand over their credit cards or one person gives theirs to start a tab.

Protecting yourself

John Brewer with the Harris County District Attorney’s office suggests that when you visit a restaurant, make sure your card stays in sight, and never let anyone leave your presence with the card if you can help it. 

“Skimming occurs most at restaurants since the waiter has to walk away with your card,” Brewer says. “If you are in a retail store and they say they have to go to another counter to run the card, follow them.” And if you really want to be safe, use cash. There’s no way that can be skimmed. Besides, the merchant will thank you since they won’t have to pay hefty swipe fees to the credit card company.

Irby added that another smart move is to take a look at the credit card readers the business is using. “If you’re at a location where other, identical credit card readers are nearby, glance at the other readers to see if they look the same as the one you’re using,” he said. “If there’s a noticeable difference between the readers on two otherwise identical ATMs or fuel pumps, one could have a skimmer attached.

Find somewhere else to use your card.”

Tags:

airport-taxis listed on couponmatrix.ukfashion-eyewear listed on couponmatrix.ukgravity listed on couponmatrix.uksandals-holidays listed on couponmatrix.ukthe-range listed on couponmatrix.ukwoven listed on couponmatrix.uk
airport-taxis listed on couponmatrix.ukAirport Taxis are a professional and affordable service that is dedicated to getting its customers to and from airports. They offer people the convenience of getting picked up from their own home and dropped off at the airport of their choice for their business trips and holidays. You will have a great choice of vehicles and you can get a price quote straight away on their site. Using Groupon discount codes for Airport Taxis will let you get your trip of to the best start by saving money. The price of a taxi might be something you think about avoiding, but when you consider the cost of fuel and parking at the airport you won’t be saving much if anything. Take into account the savings you can make with an Airport Taxis discount code from Groupon and there will be nothing in it. Simply type the details of where you want to be picked up from and where you are going. You will then be given prices for a single or return trip for your choice of vehicles. After choosing that you will then need to enter the head passengers name and contact number, how many passengers will be travelling and with what luggage. Pop in the dates and times and you will be good to go.
fashion-eyewear listed on couponmatrix.ukFashion Eyewear offer designer glasses and shades, along with the most up-to-date lens technology available to ensure you get a great view - whether you're looking out at the world or checking yourself out in the mirror. Incredible glasses can make or break your look and you'll be wearing them with lots of different outfits, so it's essential to get the best - but the Fashion Eyewear discount code means you'll get an eye-popping price reduction, helping you to build up a killer collection of glasses that you can't wait to put on.
gravity listed on couponmatrix.ukTrampolining has to be every kid’s favourite activity, which is why we can’t get enough of Gravity trampoline parks. Perfect for burning some energy while having a great time, there are so many sessions to choose from with options suitable for toddlers, kids and grownups! Get ready to bounce the afternoon away for less when you check out our Gravity discount codes. We’re tracking all the ways you can get money off your trampoline session right now.
sandals-holidays listed on couponmatrix.ukSandals pioneered the concept of upmarket, all-inclusive beach resorts in the Caribbean with their first venture in Montego Bay, Jamaica. This wildly-successful hotel remains their flagship site, providing the template for a total of over twenty resorts covered by five different brands, all of which are accessible for far less than you might think with our Sandals promo code. Stunning beaches, lush, island paradises, gourmet food and in-house watersports mean you're guaranteed a fabulous trip every time - so stop dreaming, choose your location and get ready for effortless, exotic fun in the sun.
the-range listed on couponmatrix.ukIf you’re in the market for something to spruce your home up then get involved at The Range. Stocking over 65000 products across 16 departments, The Range is committed to bringing their customers great quality products at the most competitive prices. With such a choice of products, regardless of the style you love, you’ll find everything to kit out your home exactly as you want it, and with a The Range discount code you’ll save money on their already incredible prices.
woven listed on couponmatrix.ukThere’s an art to crafting your ideal home, yet with Woven and their inventory of immaculate handwoven fabrics your vision can become reality. As experts in the trade of designing rugs, bedding and cushions that are both beautiful and long-lasting, no avid homeowner will regret adding Woven to their home with the help of a Woven discount code. Made with the perfect balance of style, comfort and practicality, you’ll quickly come to understand the luxury that Woven entails.