The United States Secret Service (USSS) collaborated with local law enforcement in Florida to uncover instances of card skimming fraud. This was part of an outreach program that aimed to prevent potential losses exceeding a million dollars.
Skimming devices are illicitly placed inside or on ATMs, gas pumps, or point-of-sale (POS) terminals to capture card data and PIN entries. The stolen information is then used to create counterfeit payment cards for fraudulent activities.
On June 20, the Secret Service, along with state and local law enforcement partners, inspected over 472 businesses in Florida to identify and remove illegal skimming devices from ATMs, gas pumps, and POS terminals. This operation resulted in the recovery of 13 skimming devices, preventing an estimated loss of $1.3 million.
More than 3,500 POS terminals, gas pumps, and ATMs were examined during the operation. Educational materials on EBT fraud and skimming were distributed to help businesses recognize warning signs of skimming devices.
EBT cards, used in the distribution of federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, have become a prime target for skimming criminals due to their lack of chip technology. Chip-enabled cards offer enhanced security for transactions.
Law enforcement agencies have observed a surge in skimming incidents targeting EBT cards nationwide over the past 18 months. Criminal groups exploit the magnetic strip technology used in most states’ ATMs.
This outreach operation in Florida marked the first time the Secret Service addressed the issue in the state. Skimming incidents are estimated to cost customers and financial institutions over $1 billion annually.
US Skimming Hacks
In a separate incident, three individuals from Romania were arrested in Oakland for using skimming devices to steal EBT benefits. The stolen data was loaded onto debit cards for unauthorized purchases and cash withdrawals, affecting low-income families reliant on EBT benefits.
Similarly, a man from Los Angeles was sentenced to over three years in prison for installing card skimmers at gas pumps in Southern California. Co-defendants in the case were accused of stealing nearly $620,000 through the scheme.
The FBI advises using cards with chip technology to mitigate the risk of data theft. It also cautions against linking multiple individuals’ accounts to a single debit card to prevent widespread access in case of a compromise.
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