KY Authorities Have Discovered Card Skimmers in Retail, Grocery Stores

I don't classify myself as a paranoid person, but I've got to be honest with you, when I first learned of the existence of card skimmers, my paranoia amped up a bit.

With progress comes convenience but also nefariousness. It seems every form of new technology developed to make our lives easier can also be manipulated to make our lives, in some cases, a nightmare. And because of identity theft, even more new technology must be created--and rather quickly, too--to counteract the behavior of bad actors.

Card Skimmers Found in Kentucky Retail and Grocery Stores

To say that I was a little ticked off when I read that card skimmers had been found in retail and grocery stores in central Kentucky would be an understatement. Previously, we had been concerned about their placement on ATMs and at gas pumps. But now, skimmers have popped up at self-checkouts and even at counters that are staffed. A couple of days ago, Elizabethtown police issued this warning:

It seems like the Louisville-E'town-Lexington triangle has become a hotspot for these skimming creeps. Shelbyville police had to issue their OWN warning a couple of weeks ago:

What Is a Skimmer?

Skimmers are defined by the FBI as "devices illegally installed on or inside ATMs, point-of-sale (POS) terminals, or fuel pumps capture card data and record cardholders’ PIN entries, if applicable." Here's how they work at ATMs:

As for fuel pumps, the FBI has these suggestions if you use your card to pay for gas:

- Choose a fuel pump that is closer to the store and in direct view of the attendant.        These pumps are less likely to be targets for skimmers.

- Run your debit card as a credit card. If that’s not an option, cover the keypad when  you enter your PIN. You should also examine the keypad before use for any inconsistencies in coloring, material, or shape. These inconsistencies might suggest that a foreign device (keypad overlay) is present.

- Consider paying inside with the attendant, not outside at the pump.

- Tap the card instead of swiping or inserting it when paying at the pump (if the card and terminal allow for it). Tap-to-pay transactions are more secure and less likely to be compromised.

Skimmers are not obvious, but capitalone.com will tell you what to look for, and if you're suspicious, contact a store or bank manager at once.

[SOURCE: WHAS11-Louisville]