Credit Card Skimmers Are A Handy Tool For Thieves
GOLDEN, Colo (CBS4) - Credit card skimmers are one of the many ways that thieves are using to steal your credit card information and they work in many different ways.
"This is a magnet stripe reader for a credit card," said Investigator Troy Cooper as he held up a small black reader.
These readers are common in commerce but they are also commonly in the hands of crooks. The magnetic card reader that Cooper showed CBS4 hooks up to a computer. There are also wireless versions that can fit into a pocket. A thief could swipe the card and skim the information in about two seconds, without the cardholder ever knowing it.
"Many times it's difficult to catch skimmers because the data is gathered by one person and sold on the black market, elsewhere," Cooper told CBS4.
In his position with the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office, Cooper says that skimmers are sometimes found at gas stations and ATMs. There are internal versions that can be put inside the gas pump station. The card user would never know his or her information was being stolen. There are also fake keyboards, and false fronts that go over the legitimate card reader, so the criminals are stealing information while the real transaction is happening.
"The best way to protect yourself from skimmers, because many times you don't know it occurred, is pay attention to your accounts… pay attention to your credit cards," Cooper explained.
Keeping track of your transactions is very important because there is no real way to protect yourself from a skimmer before it happens.
Learn more about tracking your finances and protecting your personal information by shredding old financial documents at the Jefferson County District Attorney's Safety Fair. The fair is Saturday, August 22nd from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds.
Libby Smith is a Special Projects Producer at CBS4. If you have a story you'd like to tell CBS4 about, call 303-863-TIPS (8477) or visit the News Tips section.
