Thieves employ new credit card skimmer

Jan. 15, 2010

It seems that more often these days, thieves are coming up with ever ingenious ways to gain access to our personal data. Whether it's hacking into a business' sensitive files to retrieve personal information for identity theft or fumbling through the garbage to find account numbers, there are numerous methods criminals are using to drain our bank accounts and ruin our credit.

Now word comes from retail loss prevention firm Agilence that a new credit card skimming device has hit the streets. The skimmer was reportedly discovered by a customer using a Citibank ATM in Woodland Hills, Calif. It was designed to fit over the existing credit card slot and contained both a card reader and camera. Click here to see a PDF containing pictures of the skimming device.

Last month, SIW Editor Geoff Kohl spoke with ADT's John Pierce about a growing number of ATM attacks using credit card skimmers and what banks can do to prevent them. Click here to download or listen to the SIW Podcast.