PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. – The Calvert County Sheriff’s Office is reminding citizens to take precautions when using their credit or debit card at an ATM, gas station, and other points of sale (POS) terminals and to be aware of skimmers, which are devices placed directly over the card reader slot to illegally record personal data and PIN information as it is entered.
Skimmers allow criminals to obtain personal identification numbers and the encoded data on the magnetic strip of a debit or credit card. Once the skimmer has been placed on a machine, suspects use a hidden camera to record the transactions. This information can then be used to create cloned cards or break into bank accounts to steal money.
Anyone who suspects they have found a skimmer should notify a store or bank manager and report suspicious activity to the police. Please be sure to check your bank and/or card statements regularly for any unauthorized transactions.
For more information on skimming, check out: https://www.fbi.gov/…/common-scams-and-crimes/skimming