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:

beauty-base listed on couponmatrix.ukcraft-gin-club listed on couponmatrix.uksavile-row-company listed on couponmatrix.ukshowcase-cinema-de-lux listed on couponmatrix.ukwightlink listed on couponmatrix.ukworld-remit listed on couponmatrix.uk
beauty-base listed on couponmatrix.ukBeauty Base are a family run retailer of fragrance & beauty products, with products stocked in several high-end premium stores across London. Established in 1975, Beauty Base was amongst the first fragrance retailers to develop their own specialised self-service as an ‘open sell concept’ which they then shared with the world. Based on the needs of the customer, this is an ethos they have proudly maintained and built on to this very day.
craft-gin-club listed on couponmatrix.ukGin is big business, with millions waking up to the possibilities that this incredibly versatile, centuries old stalwart can offer. Many still like to drink it with tonic, but it's also finding its way into some fabulous cocktails as well as holding its own as something that can be consumed neat. The Craft Gin Club discount code gets yo straight to the front of the queue for the newest, most innovative gins that you won't find on supermarket shelves. Their experts live, drink and breathe gin and when you subscribe they'll send you twelve bottles a year from a carefully-selected set of authentic distilleries based all over globe.
savile-row-company listed on couponmatrix.ukNot long ago, a series of costly trips to London's West End were involved if you wanted premium quality formalwear - but thanks to the Savile Row Company it's now possible to get high end suits, shirts, shoes and accessories with just a few clicks of your mouse. Our Savile Row discount code makes it all far more affordable than you'd expect, though you can still get the same bespoke tailoring service that Savile Row is famous for if you wish by combining a visit to their their website with a fitting at their premises or a London location of your choosing.
showcase-cinema-de-lux listed on couponmatrix.ukDiscover the best in cinema entertainment at Showcase Cinema. With over 21 Showcase and Showcase Cinema de Lux screens around the country you’re always in for a treat when visiting a Showcase Cinema. Grab your Showcase vouchers and get ready for the ultimate cinema experience. Enjoy 360 Dolby Atmos audio technology and ultra-high-definition screens all carefully designed to make you feel part of the on-screen action from the comfort of your seat.
wightlink listed on couponmatrix.ukIt’s never been easier to explore the Isle of Wight than with Wightlink ferries. The service shuttles over 4.5 million passengers to and from the Isle of Wight yearly, and has recently invested 45 million into an environmentally friendly flagship. Bringing you sandy beaches, castles, theme parks, restaurants, sailing and much more, the Isle of Wight provides the perfect day out or weekend trip for everyone. With the Wightlink discount code, you can enjoy the wonders of the Isle for less. With crossings available from three fantastic locations in Southern England, the Wightlink ferry service is the perfect service for you.
world-remit listed on couponmatrix.ukWhen sending money abroad, your money transfer service should be both fast and reliable. WorldRemit understands that you don’t want to waste time worrying and waiting for payments to go through, so it’s created the service to be as easy to use as possible. With your WorldRemit promo code from Groupon, you can send money internationally at an incredibly affordable rate, and your recipient can receive it at the other end by airtime top-up, bank transfer, cash pickup or mobile money transfer. Using a code from this page, you could even send money to another country for free!