Story Published: Feb 22, 2012 at 7:35 PM PDT
Story Updated: Feb 22, 2012 at 7:35 PM PDT
LPD Sergeant Jeff Arneson explains how the skimming devices work.
A growing trend in theft and fraud cases is the use of electronic "skimming" devices to steal information for credit and debit cards. These "skimmers" can be placed on ATM machines, gas pumps and just about any other machine legitimately used to scan cards.
"It would be around the area where the card is inserted, and that would read the card information," said LPD Sergeant Jeff Arneson. "Another part of the device would be in front of the pin pad."
Arneson said "skimming" devices are made to look like the machine, and once the information is taken from the card a new card can be made and sold to other criminals for use across the country or even internationally. He said if something looks unusual, to contact the store before going ahead with the transaction.
