Credit Card Skimmers

In previous years, identity theft and credit card fraud was a result of thieves sifting through trash bags and uncovering things people threw out without destroying personal information. Waiters disappearing with cards sometimes took the time to write card details down to use for online purchases later… but credit card fraud and identity theft has become a highly advanced, technological operation for many thieves.

Would you notice if a clerk swiped your card through a two card readers in one swift movement? Would you be able to tell if the gas pump where you swipe your card had a “bug” built in to the existing pump’s reader, saving your data both to the pump to make your gasoline purchase and to the “bug” itself for later retrieval by the thief? This type of credit card theft comes from the use of credit card skimmers – small units that work by swiping the credit card’s magnetic strip through them; just as you would if you were making a purchase. (more…)