In light of the recent local cases involving credit card skimmers, the Fort Myers Police Department would like to take this time to pass along valuable information that should reduce the likelihood residents become the next skimming victim.

A credit card skimmer is a portable capture device that is attached in front of or on top of the legitimate scanner. The skimmer passively records the card data as a person inserts a credit card into the real scanner.

Credit card thieves will often temporarily affix the card skimmer device to gas pumps, ATMs or other convenient self-service point-of-sale terminals.

The criminal element chooses gas pumps and ATMs because these sites allow easy placement and retrieval of their skimmers, as well as these locations generally receive a lot of traffic.

Skimmer technology has become more prevalent in recent years due to the technology becoming cheaper and more sophisticated.

Some skimmers capture the card information using a magnetic reader and use a miniature camera to record a person typing in a PIN number, while others place a secondary keypad over the top of the actual keypad. The secondary keypad captures your PIN number and records it while passing the input to the real keypad.

FMPD would like all citizens to consider the following the next time they use one of the aforementioned terminals:

– When you arrive at an ATM or gas pump take a look around the machine. Check for anything out of the ordinary or suspicious.

– Take a close look at the card reader or keypad. If the equipment shakes or jiggles, it may have been compromised.

– Look at other nearby gas pumps or ATMs card readers to see if they match the one you are using.

– Avoid using your PIN number when possible. Choose the credit option so if the machine is equipped with a skimmer camera it will not capture your PIN.

– Trust your instincts. If in doubt, use another machine somewhere else.

– Monitor your bank accounts daily. This can easily be done online or with a smartphone app.

– If you see something suspicious or something does not look right report it to the establishment or local law enforcement.

Source: Fort Myers Police Department