Last summer, my wife and I were about to catch a movie when I got a call. It was a message from the bank about suspicious activity in our account. I thought it was just a hiccup with a recent transaction, but when I checked our account on my phone, I was shocked. There were two $1,000 charges from a website we’d never used. Our account had been hacked, and we were gutted.
The bank said the transactions were made with my debit card number, which was weird because I’d never lost it or had it stolen. Thankfully, the bank was really helpful and we got our money back in a few days. But I couldn’t shake off the feeling that my card had been skimmed, especially with the number of such cases in Orlando recently. We hardly shop online and no sites have our card details, so it’s the only explanation that makes sense.
So, how does card skimming work? Here are four common ways:
- ATMs: Skimmers use a device that fits over the card reader slot. You wouldn’t even know your details are being stolen as you insert your card into the fake reader.
- Gas Pumps: Skimmers can install a device inside a gas pump in minutes. It’s invisible to users and a universal key can open multiple pumps. I think this is where my card got skimmed.
- Handheld Devices: Someone can swipe your card on a small device and record your details. There have been cases of waitstaff at restaurants doing this.
- Keystroke Loggers: These devices can be attached to public computers or point-of-sale devices to steal passwords and other personal data. They can also be downloaded onto your computer as spyware.
I can’t confirm for sure that my card was skimmed, but after researching about it, I found many instances of people being targeted in areas near where I live and work.
So, how can you avoid skimming fraud? Here are some tips:
- Go to the Bank: If you’re at the bank during office hours, withdraw money from the teller window instead of the ATM.
- Get Cash Back: Use the cash back option at grocery stores instead of ATMs.
- Pay Inside for Gas: It’s more convenient to pay at the pump, but it’s safer to pay inside.
- Pay Cash: Try to use cash more often at gas stations and restaurants.
- Ask for the Manager: Don’t hesitate to ask for a manager to run your card at a restaurant.
- Use Your Private Computer: Avoid online shopping or banking on public computers. If you have to, clear the cache, cookies, and history afterward.
Credit card skimming can wreak havoc on your finances. I was lucky that my bank acted quickly, but others might not be so fortunate. It’s crucial to do everything you can to protect yourself. If you have any other tips or ideas for avoiding credit card skimming, feel free to share them in the comments.
