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Skimming on increase, so be prepared

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Note the yellow and blue skimming inserts in this image and check for signs of similar attachments or other suspicious signs whenever you use you debit and credit cards. (Lebanon Voice graphic)

In the wake of large scale skimming incidents in Maine and New Hampshire this week, it should be noted that there are ways to protect yourself from criminals who install such devices locally.

In Maine two Florida men were arrested on Wednesday after allegedly using skimmers to steal account information from machines in Southern Maine and then using those accounts to buy prepaid Visa cards at retailers in Central Maine towns like Milo and Dexter.

In New Hampshire three men from Texas were arraigned on Friday for allegedly installing skimmers at gas pumps in Hudson and Pelham and then using the numbers to buy more than $1,500 in gift cards at Sam's Club in Hudson.

After Sam's Club employees notified Hudson Police of the car the suspects were in, police followed them into Tyngsborough, Mass., where they were allegedly spotted throwing plastic cards out the window as police closed in.

While the incidents show widespread use of the devices in the two states, police say there are things you can do to protect yourself from becoming a victim.

First you can use a credit card that doesn't require you to give a PIN number, which limits thieves ability to use the account information accessed off the card's metallic strip. Also, you can use your debit card as a credit card at most gas pumps.

A second plus to using a credit card is that you won't be charged for any fraudulent charges if you notify your financial institution quickly.

But beyond that, many of these skimming devices are crudely made and can be detected upon inspection.

Skimming involves the attachment of electronic devices on or around the ATM or gas pump for the purposes of capturing both the magnetic strip data contained on the back of a debit card as well as the PIN number that is entered by the customer when using the device. The devices used to capture the information will vary in shapes, sizes and designs but are made to be unobtrusive or mimic legitimate devices.

When using an ATM machine, police advise people to follow these suggested safe banking practices to reduce the risk of being a victim of ATM Skimming:

  1. Inspect the machine for items that were installed over or around the PIN pad of the ATM . (Customers should be looking for an attachment on the ATM that contains a small PIN hole that is pointed in the direction of the PIN pad.)
  2. Lightly tug the area of the card slot. (Most skimming devices are attached with double sided tape for quick removal by the crooks).
  3. Cover the keypad with you other hand while typing your PIN. (This is the best way to ensure that your PIN number is not recorded by a PIN Capturing Device!)

The following indicators may indicate ATM Skimming Activity is or has occurred at the location and should be reported to bank employees if the branch is open. If the bank is not open, the local police department should be notified:

  1. Card slot of the ATM is loose or has fallen off, or other parts of the ATM machine have dislodged from the ATM.
  2. The presence of double sided tape on the ATM machine or presence of glue or pry marks around the card slot of the ATM.
  3. If the door access device at the lobby door has been removed or is not securely attached to the wall.
  4. Observation of person(s) attaching or removing or tampering with parts of the ATM machine.
  5. Subjects who are using the ATM and are intentionally covering their faces to avoid being depicted (ex. ski masks, hats, scarfs and sunglasses during nighttime use at the ATM).
  6. Person(s) using multiple cards one after another in order to withdraw funds from an ATM (may be using counterfeit cards from a skimming incident).
  7. Subjects spending long periods of time outside ATM machines and periodically inspect the machine but do not conduct transactions.

Police advise customers to not remove any of the skimming devices if detected, but are encouraged to contact the bank manager and local law enforcement.

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