Credit card skimmers are small devices that criminals attach to payment terminals, most commonly on ATMs and gas pumps. When a customer uses a terminal that’s been compromised in such a way, the skimmer will create a copy of the credit card and capture the associated PIN.

In our evolving world of point-of-sale technology, we have seen a direct increase in the number of skimming devices found in member stores over the last year. Here are some tips for spotting and combatting skimmers at your co-op.

How to check for a skimmer

Although skimmers can be hard to spot, it’s possible to identify a skimming device by a visual and physical inspection. Check for alignment issues between the card reader and the panel underneath it. Skimmers are often placed on top of the actual card reader, making it stick out at an odd angle or cover arrows in a panel. Compare the card reader to others at a neighboring station and look for differences. Feel around the reader and try to wiggle it to see if it can easily come out of place.

What to do if you find a skimmer: First, shut down the terminal and inspect all other card readers. Second, notify your card merchant services about the situation and contact local law enforcement.

Learn more about spotting a credit card skimmer and how this can protect your co-op.

Ways to Combat Skimming

In addition to examining your credit card machines, you can take these supplementary steps to combat skimming:

Locking mounts and brackets: If you are using locking pin-pad mounts or brackets, keep up the good work. These frames can assist with making it harder for an individual to attach a skimmer. If you need a locking mount or bracket, contact your POS reseller.

Tamper-resistant tape: Tamper-proof stickers that surround a device can provide a quick visual cue to staff that something has occurred with the device, causing a break in the tape. Maverick and Avery are two vendors that co-ops are ordering tamper-resistant tape from.

3D device for staff: Target has developed a tool called EasySweep and shared a prototype that any retailer, including co-ops, can 3D print for their usage. This device provides a quick visual to show if a skimmer has been attached to your pin pad.

Skimmers shield available: If your co-op is interested in procuring skimmer shields, depending on the point-of-sale system you use:

• For members using ECRS Catapult point of sale: Please open up an ECRS ticket to order your device-specific shield today.
• For members using LOC and alternative point of sale: Please open a ticket with your respective POS VAR or vendor for more information on skimmer shields and shield mounts.

Learn more about skimmer devices and other forms of retail skimming here.