GLENSIDE, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — Skimming devices have been found at several locations in the greater Philadelphia region. Police are asking people to be vigilant when getting cash at an ATM or using a card to pay at a store.
At least three police departments in the suburbs have recently discovered skimmers, devices used to steal people’s debit and credit card information.
In Glenside, Montgomery County, employees at the 7-Eleven on Easton Road, near Keswick Avenue, found a device attached to an ATM Sunday night, according to the Cheltenham Township Police Department. Abington Township police also recently recovered several devices.
On Tuesday, a skimmer was found connected to a credit card machine at the 7-Eleven on West Kings Highway in Mount Ephraim, Camden County.
The FBI estimates skimming schemes cost banks and consumers more than $1 billion in damages each year.
Authorities urge people to be on the lookout before using their cards to get cash, pay at the register, or pump gas. Red flags to look for: loose or crooked components on a machine, attachments like small camera lenses or wires, loose or sticky keypads, and difficulty inserting cards.
Tapping to pay with a phone via digital wallets like Apple or Google Pay is more secure, authorities said. It is also a good idea to check bank and credit card statements regularly so you can flag unauthorized charges as soon as possible.