Fake credit card reader found at grocery

Someone intending to steal shoppers’ financial data at a grocery checkout line might have been thwarted.

Adam Blanton, Richmond Police Department’s assistant chief, confirmed a skimmer had been installed at Needler’s Fresh Market on National Road West.

Blanton said the device is what’s called an overlay skimmer. It’s placed on a card-reading device to prevent it from reading the chip. Then, the user swipes the card, which then collects card information for the offender.

RPD’s Investigative Division is actively investigating this case and working on leads, Blanton said. A shopper reported the skimmer Aug. 28.

“It is undetermined if this device gathered anyone’s personal information, but it does not appear that it collected any information before being discovered,” Blanton said.

Officials say that skimming devices can be installed within a few seconds, so this wasn’t the city’s first fraud alert in 2024.

In February, RPD encouraged residents to watch for skimming devices after one was found at a local fuel station’s diesel pump.

Customers should look for any port or cardholder on a pump and check for any wires or exposed parts that don’t look genuine.

If a card reader wiggles before the card is added or it doesn’t match other nearby pumps, use a different pump and report it to the attendant, the Federal Trade Commission suggests. Police ask to be called when card readers look tampered with.

Some fuel stations also have security tape or other markings on their cabinet panel to show the pump hasn’t been tampered with. Labels might say “void” if they’ve been compromised.

Blanton provided this checklist to help prevent being scammed.

• Inspect the card reader. Look for signs of tampering, loose parts, or unusual attachments on ATMs or payment terminals. Check for mismatched colors or materials on the card slot, keypad or surrounding area.
• Cover the keypad. Shield the keypad with your hand when entering your PIN.
• Use ATMs in well-lit, high-traffic areas. Prefer ATMs inside banks or in well-monitored areas. Avoid using ATMs in isolated or dimly lit locations.
• Monitor bank statements regularly. Check your bank and credit card statements for unauthorized transactions frequently. Report any suspicious activity to your bank immediately.
• Set up alerts. Enable transaction alerts for all your accounts to receive immediate notifications of any unauthorized use.
• Use contactless payment when possible. Opt for contactless payments (tap-to-pay) or mobile wallet options (like Apple Pay or Google Pay) to minimize contact with card readers.
• Be wary of external add-ons. Avoid using ATMs or card readers with external devices such as false covers, cameras or extra card slots.
• Update your PIN regularly. Change your PIN periodically and avoid using easily guessable numbers like birthdates.
• Use cards with EMV chips. Prefer cards with EMV chips over magnetic strips, as they are more secure and harder to skim.
• Report suspicious devices. Notify the bank or business immediately if you notice a suspicious device on a card reader.