GASTONIA, N.C. — A Cyber Forensics Task Force in Gastonia has discovered Bluetooth skimmers on card reader devices in local stores, including a Walmart in West Gastonia.
These skimmers were used to capture card and PIN data from unsuspecting customers, transmitting the information in real time to scammers nearby.
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The task force’s discovery highlights the ongoing threat of digital theft in retail environments, where criminals use sophisticated technology to steal financial information.
While the exact number of skimmers found has not been disclosed, the presence of these devices in a major retailer like Walmart underscores the widespread nature of the issue.
Authorities have not released information about the identity of the scammers or the specific locations of other affected stores aside from the Walmart in West Gastonia.
The discovery of these skimmers serves as a reminder for consumers to remain vigilant when using card readers in public places.
How to protect yourself
Michael Galloway was leaving the Walmart on Myrtle School Road in West Gastonia Friday when Channel 9′s Ken Lemon told him about the skimming devices found inside.
“I think it’s despicable,” Galloway said. “I mean, it’s below below.”
Lemon then told the customer that the skimmers were at the self-checkout line.
Galloway had a card cloned with a skimmer three years ago.
“Your gut falls out right off the bat,” he said.
Lemon spoke with Ted Rossman, a senior income analyst at Bankrate.
He said that step one to protect yourself is to get the cards with chips that encrypt your information.
Once people swipe their card, they are wide open to skimmers, according to Juliana O’Rork, of the Better Business Bureau.
“They could probably use it as soon as they can download this information,” O’Rork said.
She said, if possible, avoid swiping or inserting your card.
“Tap top pay with your credit card instead of actually inserting it or using an Apply Pay or a Samsung Pay or something along those lines,” she said.
They suggest doing what Galloway did.
He has safety protocols on his account.
He gets a text when there is an unusual purchase, but he said he still had to sign affidavits with his bank.
“You know you didn’t do it, but you still have to go through protocol to get things straightened out,” he said.
Experts said to sign up for an automatic alert system with your bank or credit card company and check the card scanner.
How to spot skimming devices:
1. If the keypad seems thicker than normal, it might be suspect.
2. Is the keypad flimsy? Does it look old and possibly tampered with in some way?
How to avoid being scammed:
1. Always use your card as a credit card, not debit, where you have to enter a PIN.
2. Use devices with a cashier present; Self-check-out devices are more likely to be tampered with.
3. Use the “tap to pay” option.
Skimming devices can be put anywhere a digital transaction is made.
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