KTVN Channel 2 - Reno Tahoe News Weather, Video - Only on 2 - "Skimming" Fraud Cases Appear in Reno Area
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Next time you use your debit or credit card, you might want to take a close look before you swipe it.
Crooks are using devices called "skimmers" to read the information off your card and make themselves a copy.
"It takes the information from you the mag strip on the back [of your card]," explains Lt. Mike Whan.
Reno police say they have at least 9 cases of accounts that may have been hijacked by skimmers in the last two weeks.
(Click here to see an example of a skimmer found on an ATM in California)
The devices are compact and hidden into false panels or components of ATMs and point-of-sale card readers, like the ones found at most gas stations.
Crooks generally only leave skimmers on for a few hours and then move on.
"We've had at least 8 or 9 members that have been attacked," says Great Basin Federal Credit Union's CEO, Dennis Flannigan.
The small, local credit union has lost thousands so far to the scammers.
Officials say it's best to inspect card readers before you insert your card.
"Maybe jiggle it just a little bit," adds Flannigan, "if it's loose, don't use it."
There is one early warning sign that you might have fallen for the scam.
The skimmer device usually keeps the real card reader from scanning your card.
"If you use your card in a machine and nothing displays, not even 'out of order' or 'out of service, ' then there's a chance you were a victim," says Whan.
Bankers suggest you keep tabs on your account activity every day or two by using your bank's website.
Sometimes the crooks use the cloned cards themselves right away, other times they sell them to other crooks out of state.
"You and I could have already been victims of this type of device," Whan explains, "but we won't know it for another month."
