The District of Columbia Metropolitan Police Department reported that, since March 25, 2024, skimmers have been found in stores located in Northwest, Northeast, and Southeast D.C.
Grocery stores, convenience stores, gas stations, and supermarkets offer their customers the option of self-checkout to save time. The automated self-checkout machines usually have two slots–one for cash and the other to insert a debit or credit card.
A skimmer is a device that is placed in the card slot of an automated payment machine to copy all the information contained in the magnetic strip on the back of a debit or credit card. Later, the scammer returns to download all of the information (customers’ card numbers, pin numbers, etc.) saved on the skimmer.
Once the scammer has your stolen information, they can use it to make large purchases of merchandise and services or sell your debit and credit card information to buyers on the dark web. Some scammers even use the information to create bogus debit and credit cards.
How do I avoid losing money to a skimmer at self-checkout?
- Use your credit card, not your debit card:
- A credit card provides better protection against fraud and your maximum liability is generally limited to $50.00. If your bank debit card is skimmed and all the funds in your checking account are stolen (including your $1,000.00 overdraft protection), it may take months for your bank to conduct and complete a thorough investigation before returning your money. In the meantime, you have no access to the cash you need to pay your expenses.
- Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and cash are alternative payment methods that are not vulnerable to skimmers.
- Check on routine payments:
- Remember that any checks you may have written from your bank account or any automatic ACH payments you’ve arranged to be paid to third parties will not be honored if a scammer has stolen all the money in your bank account. You could be left with numerous, expensive nonsufficient funds and late payment fees by your bank and the third-party companies.
- Check your bank and credit card account balances daily:
- Scammers rely heavily on most consumers’ failure to check their bank and credit card account balances on a regular basis. At least once a day, you should check all your accounts online(bank debit card, credit card, and bank checking account)to make sure there are no unauthorized charges.
- Report any unauthorized charges immediately:
- If there are unauthorized charges, immediately report them to your financial institution. Your bank may refuse to return your money if it determines that you were in any way at fault for the losses from your debit card account. For example, your bank may require you to notify them no later than 48 hours after the unauthorized debits have been posted to your account.
- Visually check the self-checkout machine’s slot:
- Before you insert your card into the self-checkout machine’s slot, look for any signs of tampering. Verify that the slot is properly aligned and looks identical to all the other self-checkout machines in the area. It should not be drooping to one side and loose to the touch.
Report Fraud
If you see or suspect a card skimmer, please contact the police immediately by dialing 911.
If you believe you have been the victim of a skimmer scam, please contact the DISB Enforcement and Consumer Protection Division at 202.727.8000.
You may also contact the DC Metropolitan Police Department at 202.727.4159 or file a report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov or at 877.382.4357.
You may also contact the United States Secret Service, Washington Field Office at 202.406.8000.