A new fraud method is spreading at self-service checkouts

By: Trademagazin Date: 2024. 08. 09. 11:39

A new, troubling form of fraud has surfaced at several stores in Cromwell, Connecticut. The criminals operated undetected for 18 days before the fraud was discovered. The police have issued an urgent warning to customers to watch out for card-reading devices disguised as pin pads at self-service checkouts.

Fraudsters placed skimmer devices at self-service checkouts in shopping malls that collected credit and debit card information, such as card numbers and PIN codes, unnoticed. Criminals can use this information to create fake cards or make online purchases without the cardholder’s permission.

On July 17, Walmart staff discovered the card cracker on one of the cash registers, but after reviewing security footage, it was discovered that the criminals had already planted the device on June 29. This 18 days of invisibility highlights the importance of attention and vigilance on the part of customers – writes the DailyMail.

According to Dr. Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of computer science at the University of New Haven, using contactless payment methods such as contactless cards or Apple Pay is one of the most effective ways to protect against such fraud.