Today, we dive into a critical warning issued by the police about a self-checkout scam that went undetected for a whopping 18 days. This scam involved crooks installing a card-skimming device disguised as a pin pad in the self-service aisles of several stores in Cromwell, Connecticut.
Two men are currently being hunted over this fraud, as reported by WFSB. This alarming new fraud technique at self-checkouts is an updated version of an old trick that has plagued ATMs for decades. A similar incident occurred recently at a Kroger store, showcasing the widespread nature of this scam.
Card skimmers are devices cleverly hidden by fraudsters on cash and card machines. These devices steal vital information such as card numbers and PINs from credit and debit cards. With this information, criminals can create fake cards or use the details for unauthorized online purchases.
In one particular incident, Walmart staff in Cromwell discovered a card skimmer on one of their checkout machines on July 17. Upon reviewing the security footage, it was revealed that the device had been placed there on June 29, remaining unnoticed for 18 days. This delay allowed the scammers ample time to steal card information from unsuspecting customers.
Cromwell police confirmed that the suspects responsible for this incident had also attached skimmers to registers in stores across the state. They released images of the two suspects, who are still at large. Additionally, suspects with similar descriptions were caught on camera placing skimming devices on machines at LaBonne’s Markets in Prospect and at Big Y locations in Naugatuck and Plainville.
Yet another device was found at the Walmart in Naugatuck on July 17. Walmart emphasized their commitment to customer safety, stating, “Providing customers with a safe shopping experience is a top priority. We’re continually reviewing protocols and adding enhanced security measures to better protect in-store transactions.”
This issue is not confined to Connecticut. Last month, a skimming device was detected in Georgetown, Delaware, remaining undetected for around ten days. The device was only discovered after a customer reported fraud charges on their card. Georgetown resident Virginia Layfield expressed her shock to Coast TV news, saying, “It’s terrible. I didn’t believe that it was really going to happen, and then you hear it on the news.”
Local authorities are now reaching out to federal partners, including the FBI, to see if facial recognition can identify the suspects and determine if they are part of a larger criminal organization. Lt. Matthew Barlow of the Georgetown Police Department stated, “Oftentimes, when we’re talking about fraud of this nature, electronic fraud and things like that may be part of a larger organization, may be something that our partners, the FBI or Secret Service, are already investigating.”
Dr. Vahid Behzadan, assistant professor of computer science at the University of New Haven, offered some valuable advice on protecting yourself from such fraud. He recommends using contactless payment methods like Apple Pay or contactless cards, which don’t require inserting a card into a machine. Additionally, staying vigilant by feeling for anomalies around the card reader, frequently checking credit card statements for unusual transactions, and setting up transaction notifications on your smartphone can help you stay one step ahead of these scammers.
