Disturbing warning as info-stealing devices found at gas stations – easy Bluetooth test can show if your card is safe | 1MND9K5 | 2024-04-30 17:08:01
Disturbing warning as info-stealing devices found at gas stations – easy Bluetooth test can show if your card is safe | 1MND9K5 | 2024-04-30 17:08:01
SHOPPERS are being advised to use their cell phones to detect credit card skimmers after the devices were found at a Massachusetts gas station.
A gas station in Brookline, located 20 minutes outside of Boston, recently discovered scamming devices were being used to steal several customers' credit card information from January 16 to March 15.
Credit card skimmers are devices placed on pin pad machines that steal personal information using Bluetooth technology.
Once users input their card and pin, the information gets sent to an external recorder via Bluetooth.
Skimmers look similar to keypads and range in size, making it hard to tell if one is on the card machine you're using.
If you're using a gas pump that has a skimmer, there's no way to protect yourself after you've inserted your card.
Card skimmers are most commonly found at gas stations or ATMS, but can also be found at self-checkout machines or restaurants.
Since card skimmers can be hard to locate by eye, Brookline police are helping customers find an easier way to detect skimmers by using the Bluetooth capability of their cell phones.
The police posted a video to Facebook explaining what a card skimmer is and how to detect it.
"In your settings, if you open Bluetooth and hold your phone close to the pump, it should pick up the skimmer device with the code HC-05 or something similar," Sergeant Rob said in the video.
The officer advises customers not to connect to the HC-05 Bluetooth and instead report it to the gas station.
The Brookline police advise hiding your keypad when entering your PIN to avoid your transaction being recorded. Apple or Google Pay is recommended over using a physical card.
<!-- End of Brightcove Player --> On top of checking via Bluetooth for credit card skimmers, try to stick to gas stations or ATMs you're familiar with.
SKIMMING ON THE RISE
Card skimming is on the rise across the United States.
In 2023, the total number of compromised debit cards was up 96% from 2022, according to FICO.
Compromised cards caused by ATMs were up by 90%.
Last week, two scammers were arrested right outside of Houston on charges related to credit card skimming.
Not only did the pair of scammers place a credit card skimmer internally in credit card machines, but they also inserted a camera into the card readers to record users' transactions.
</div> </div> About 60% of skimming occurs at privately owned ATMs typically located in convenience stores or other privately owned establishments, according to United Credit Union.
Most credit card companies also offer alerts of possible fraudulent activity happening on any accounts.
Signing up for these alerts will help prevent any future fraudulent activity.
As these crimes become more common across the country, it's important now more than ever to stay vigilant while using your credit card.
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