topic Re: Card skimmers found inside two Walmarts in Community Chat

Card skimmers found inside two Walmarts

Say Nay — Thu, 26 May 2016 19:06:13 GMT

I know this happens at gas pumps and outdoor ATMs but I'm surprised this was inside Walmart stores (and Safeway).

"In just the last few weeks, card skimmers — devices that illegally scan customers’ credit cards –have been found at two different Walmart stores. The skimmers in these cases were so convincing that they may have been in place for weeks for being discovered.

The first report came out of Fredericksburg, VA, in early May, where police say the skimmers may have been installed as far back as March. The skimmers were discovered after at least 37 account holders of a local credit union were hit by large, unexpected withdrawals from ATMs.

More recently, police in Fort Wright, KY, say a skimmer was in place at a local Walmart for a week before it was identified. No word yet on how many customers were victimized by this scheme...

Similarly convincing skimmers were used last year at Safeway stores in Colorado and California. Those skimmers were made to be undetectable to customers swiping their cards as they pay for their groceries..."

https://consumerist.com/2016/05/26/card-skimmers-found-on-walmart-self-checkout-terminals-in-two-states/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=socialflow

Re: Card skimmers found inside two Walmarts

on the bay — Thu, 26 May 2016 19:08:59 GMT

That is awful. I hate to have to worry about this. Thanks for that information-I wouldn't have thought of it at these stores either! Scary huh?

Re: Card skimmers found inside two Walmarts

chickenbutt — Thu, 26 May 2016 19:09:09 GMT

Good grief! I'm so tired of the bad guys always being two steps ahead of the good guys!

When I go out anymore, like just to the store, post office, etc, I just carry a small wallet in which I have my credit and debit cards wrapped in aluminum foil. I try to pay attention to my surroundings when I pull a card out but it almost seems like you can't even know all what is going on around you anymore.

Fortunately, I live in a small city so I don't know what kind of peril is in the very few places I visit anymore but I figure it doesn't hurt to still be as careful as I can.

Re: Card skimmers found inside two Walmarts

spindlegirl — Thu, 26 May 2016 19:09:55 GMT

Oh no. How do we protect ourselves!?!

Re: Card skimmers found inside two Walmarts

AKgirl2 — Thu, 26 May 2016 19:10:09 GMT

Thanks so much for hedz up...I shop at Walmart (Anchorage) often and there are a lot of shady character s around, especially in the parking lot.j

Re: Card skimmers found inside two Walmarts

chickenbutt — Thu, 26 May 2016 19:12:07 GMT

AKgirl wrote:
Thanks so much for hedz up...I shop at Walmart (Anchorage) often and there are a lot of shady character s around, especially in the parking lot.j

Yikes, THAT is really scary. I've been in scenarios, a very long time ago, where I felt afraid to walk through the parking lot back to my car and have actually asked an employee to walk with me to my car. That just all came back to me, reading your post. I hadn't thought about that for decades.

Stay safe!

Re: Card skimmers found inside two Walmarts

DoneTryin — Thu, 26 May 2016 19:16:26 GMT

Inside job? I recall something I saw a security cam video in a news item last year that showed an employee at the drive-up window of a fast-food place using a skimmer. Guess she took it with her every time she left or something. Even still, one would think other employees would notice things like that, what with so many milling about getting orders out. Perhaps we're all headed back to the old-fashioned ways of just using cash.

Re: Card skimmers found inside two Walmarts

pommom — Thu, 26 May 2016 19:24:52 GMT

Would writing a check avoid the skimmers from taking info?

Re: Card skimmers found inside two Walmarts

Say Nay — Thu, 26 May 2016 19:26:23 GMT

I'm seriously considering one of these prepaid debit cards for all of my purchases. I know my credit cards protect me from unauthorized purchases but I wonder if I will ever have to defend myself if my bank denies my claim. It would be a hassle because I would have to keep loading the card up but with stuff like this happening I might be a bit safer.

Re: Card skimmers found inside two Walmarts

Say Nay — Thu, 26 May 2016 19:27:02 GMT

@pommom wrote:
Would writing a check avoid the skimmers from taking info?

You're probably safe with checks.

Re: Card skimmers found inside two Walmarts

AKgirl2 — Thu, 26 May 2016 19:52:00 GMT

By referring to shady characters, unfortunately there are so many homeless in Anchorage....I was so surprised . Then my son explained about the drug and alcohol problem. Per capita, it's off the charts. Walmart and the surrounding area is where there are so many. I try not to give them money when they approach but my son and I pass out hand and feet warmers during are long, cold & dark winters, and we also buy socks and pass them out, coffee as well. It makes one feel good and you just never know what life has in store for you. Also, Walmart happens to be close to my neighborhood and that's where I see lots of homeless folks, but they are all over Anchorage.

Please give anyone in need a helping hand, you'll be their (earth) angel for the day!👼

Re: Card skimmers found inside two Walmarts

Puzzle Piece — Thu, 26 May 2016 20:27:21 GMT

Geez, now Walmarts. Thanks for the info.

Re: Card skimmers found inside two Walmarts

goldensrbest — Thu, 26 May 2016 20:29:52 GMT

I got a call this week from one of my credit card companies,saying there has been charges on the card, checking to see if it was me, many purchases ,from places i do not shop.

Re: Card skimmers found inside two Walmarts

Mz iMac — Thu, 26 May 2016 20:33:33 GMT

@Say Nay

"I wonder if I will ever have to defend myself if my bank denies my claim."

If you report it in a timely manner, you should have no problem.

When you get your cc statement, review it w/a fine tooth comb. Any errors, call your cc immediatly.

Re: Card skimmers found inside two Walmarts

Deanie — Thu, 26 May 2016 20:34:14 GMT

That is why banks are switching to chipped cards. Encryption that is very difficult to replicate. I am not surprised and believe it to be an inside job. Europe has had chips for 10 years.

Re: Card skimmers found inside two Walmarts

Trinity11 — Thu, 26 May 2016 20:35:18 GMT

@The Monkey on My Back wrote:
I know this happens at gas pumps and outdoor ATMs but I'm surprised this was inside Walmart stores (and Safeway).

"In just the last few weeks, card skimmers — devices that illegally scan customers’ credit cards –have been found at two different Walmart stores. The skimmers in these cases were so convincing that they may have been in place for weeks for being discovered.

The first report came out of Fredericksburg, VA, in early May, where police say the skimmers may have been installed as far back as March. The skimmers were discovered after at least 37 account holders of a local credit union were hit by large, unexpected withdrawals from ATMs.

More recently, police in Fort Wright, KY, say a skimmer was in place at a local Walmart for a week before it was identified. No word yet on how many customers were victimized by this scheme...

Similarly convincing skimmers were used last year at Safeway stores in Colorado and California. Those skimmers were made to be undetectable to customers swiping their cards as they pay for their groceries..."

https://consumerist.com/2016/05/26/card-skimmers-found-on-walmart-self-checkout-terminals-in-two-states/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=socialflow

Does that mean the chip cards can also be skimmed?

Re: Card skimmers found inside two Walmarts

chickenbutt — Thu, 26 May 2016 20:36:44 GMT

Tam - I've never had a single problem with getting fraudulent charges removed. Hopefully, your have that same experience!

Re: Card skimmers found inside two Walmarts

lucymo — Thu, 26 May 2016 20:41:28 GMT

I honestly wonder if there is a way we can protect ourselves from these skimmers. I was worried about using my chip debit card where they didn't have the terminal for it and still had to swipe. I got a letter from my bank that said go ahead and swipe the card. Now, before I get over that new things show up. I think I'll do what someone else on here mentioned, get a prepaid card. I don't do well with cash, it goes too fast. I'll dollar it away. Thanks for posting.

Re: Card skimmers found inside two Walmarts

MoJoV — Thu, 26 May 2016 20:57:47 GMT

Wouldn't the chipped cards be safe from that? A only use my chipped card every where. And NO DEBIT CARD, I charge everything then pay off every month.

Re: Card skimmers found inside two Walmarts

hoosieroriginal — Thu, 26 May 2016 21:00:04 GMT

I prefer to carry cash - never do I swipe my card at a gas station or ATM for sure - I go inside the bank when I need money. Plus, after shopping, I put away all of my $1 bills and change and at the end of the month I have a nice little savings!