What Are Credit Card Skimmers and How do They Work?

Credit card skimmers are devices used to extract credit card information for intended purpose of theft. The victims of credit card skimming are blindfolded by the theft and many come to realize that their accounts have been swindled money thereafter following the theft of information. Of late, these devices have been used in ATMs, gasoline stations and also in public areas like restaurants and consumer goods stores or supermarkets.

The skimming devices are placed in ATM machines or they are held by hand by the person stealing the information. When the card is run through the devices, information is extracted and stored in the device. The thieves then use the information to device counterfeit card or carry out online withdrawals or payments from your account. 

  

Why it is difficult to detect card skimming devices
What makes this kind of thieving difficult to detect is that the devices resemble the “card insert” or the “keypad” part of an ATM and are attached or plugged just next to or over the exiting parts of an ATM’s “card insert” or keypad components. If you are not keen, you will enter your card in that device and the moment you key in your password, all the information is derived from the card and stored to the device.

Victims of card skimming are not aware of the theft and begin to notice that there is a problem when they get billing statement or even notices of overdrafts through their emails. Another thing which makes credit cards skimming difficulty to detect is that you never lose your card so you are not suspicious at that time until later after your bank account is intruded. 

 

How can you protect yourself from credit card skimmers?
One way you can prevent this theft is by keeping watch of your accounts. You need to monitor your checking account activities on daily basis and report any transaction that seems suspicious. In addition, you also need to be very careful where you shop. Skimmers are used in bars, gas stations, restaurants and other places when people visit to buy goods and services.

Always, you should not let any gas station attendant or bartender leave with your card. All the transaction should be done in your vicinity because if you cannot see you card; it could be probably be getting skimmed at that moment. Never trust anyone you give your card in these public areas.

If you want to withdraw money from an ATM machine, you need to check around and ensure that there is no device attached to the machine. Sometimes, the skimmers place a camera in a strategic point where it can view the ATM keypad in order to steal your PIN. They may also place a fake keypad fittingly on top of the ATM’s keypad in order to extra the information you enter when using your card.

Because the camera can be so tiny and placed in a hidden location where you cannot notice unless you are very keen, the best thing to do is to always try to cover your hand when you are keying in your PIN numbers on the keypad. If you notice that the keys are hard to push, you would rather stop using the machine immediately and eject your card and look for another ATM machine.

If you become suspicious of your account activity or notice a device that looks like a card skimmer you need to report to the bank as well as your credit card issuer so that actions can be taken to prevent any loss of money. If already there has occurred theft, you should report to your bank and also place a fraud alert in your credit report.