Card skimmers: What they are and what information can be stolen

card skimming devices were placed in some grocery stores in Massachusetts earlier this year it's caused a lot of concern with Shoppers 22 news reporter Kiara Smith joins us live in studio with how you can protect your information and money from getting stolen Nick Siara to prevent that from happening to you it all comes down to knowing how to check for these skimming devices and using other payment methods thieves across Western Massachusetts are installing card skimming devices on ATMs posos systems and grocery stores and even at gas stations and when customers go to swipe their credit or debit cards using the card reader these devices can scan their card information when a card is skinned the details can be stolen from the card's magnetic strip people can then get the card holder name the card number and expiration date and take that information and use it in fraudulent ways the stolen information can be used for identity theft counterfeit cards and some people will use it to make unauthorized purchase is online or over the phone the spokesperson of the Springfield Police Department Ryan Walsh explains how you can avoid getting your information and money stolen try not to use your PIN ever if you have a credit option anyone getting your PIN uh through a skimming device automatically has access to your account if you have uh the ability to tap your card use that as well it is less likely that your card uh information would be stolen using the tapping method before making purchases or using the ATM Capital 1 recommends that people check to see if the card reader looks intact and not raised check the security seal at gas pumps and make sure that the card slot and keypad look the same as others and if you see anything that does not look right on the card reading system mention it to an employee use another payment method or just go somewhere else working for you Kiara Smith 22 News