“Skimming” (alert)

There is a "scam" that has made it’s way to Middle TN. It apparently has been going on for 3 or 4 years now starting out in California and spreading throughout the country. It has reached us here. The issue is called "Skimming".

Skimming is when a criminal attaches a card reader device to an existing card reader device on an ATM or a gas pump. This device captures the card number and stores it for later retrieval. The criminal uses this device in conjunction with spy camera mounted either on the ATM or pump and out of site or off in the distance and zoomed in tight on the keypad. They use the camera to capture the PIN as it is entered by the unsuspecting consumer. The criminal can then use this combined information to withdraw CASH from other ATM machines after they make their own FAKE card with the stolen card number and PIN. ATM machines inside stores can be at risk as well. I have found at that there are many unscrupulous merchants that are working with the skimmers and allowing them to set up shop on their ATM units in exchange for a percentage or "fee". Also some of these criminals are actually buying used ATM machines off of eBay and setting them up themselves. Debit card theft is on the rise in relation to Credit card theft. With a stolen credit card the criminal has to buy a product or service and then sell it for money. With the debit card theft, the criminal can steal cash. Easier for them and much more difficult to trace or get caught.

I investigated with my bank and found out that they do not charge for using your Debit Card as a Credit Card. So the safe way to purchase gas at the pump is to select CREDIT and swipe your DEBIT card. No PIN is necessary. As a result, the criminal whole stole your number cannot run the card for CASH without the PIN. The safe way to with draw cash is using your PIN at an ATM "inside" or at least "at" your bank location where security is much tighter.