With the holidays fast approaching, the shopping and traveling season begins.
The Grinch is ready to take the holiday spirit away from you and steal your money and identity.
Thieves are using skimmers (illegal card readers attached to payment terminals) to grab data off a credit or debit card’s magnetic stripe without your knowledge. Thieves will sell the stolen information or use it to buy things online.
Many times, a person won’t know their information has been stolen until they get a statement or an overdraft notice from a financial institute.
Here are a few tips to help you avoid being a victim of skimmers:
• Try to pay with cash if possible this holiday season
• When paying at a store or restaurant make sure an employee doesn’t walk away from the register with your card, or if you can walk to the register to pay.
• Make sure the card slots at gas pumps, vending machines, etc., are secured and do not show signs of tampering.
• Look for security seals at convenience store locations (especially gas pumps). Pump panels should have a seal across the panel door and frame. If the panel is opened, the label will read “void.”
• Protect your money and identity by inspecting ATM Machines for illegally attached devices. If you wiggle the card slot on an ATM machine and it feels loose, notify the bank, or store where the ATM is located.
• Frequently check your accounts and statements for fraudulent activity by contacting your bank or credit bureau.
Capt. John Hocking said, “If you sign up for it, most banks will send you an email every time your credit card is used. This allows you to know when your credit card is used and how much is being charged on it.”
