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SLCPD Provides Safety Tips on Skimming Devices

SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake City Police Department is providing safety tips about skimming devices after officers recently found the technology being unlawfully used at a convenience store in downtown.

Theft of financial information continues to be a problem throughout the United States. Often, criminals will illegally harvest financial information using a skimming device. These devices are surreptitiously installed on fuel dispensers, point-of-sale terminals, and ATMs.

Once the data is skimmed, a criminal may have access to and retain personal and financial information and use that information for felonious purposes.

Over the years, skimming devices have become more covert and realistic, making their presence almost impossible to detect. In addition to technology that captures the data embedded within a bank card’s magnetic strip, some skimmers also include fake keypads that capture a user’s pin.

Manufactures of point-of-sale devices and ATMs continue to introduce new technology that helps prevent and detect device tampering.

The best way to prevent becoming a victim, however, is being very alert when using a point-of-sale device and ATMs, especially stand-alone or self-service devices.

When using an ATM or point-of-sale device, community members should first inspect the device for any signs of tampering before entering their bank card. Signs of unauthorized altering may include prey marks, scratches, loose hardware, exposed wiring, inconsistent coloring to the rest of the device, and unusual wear pattern given the overall device’s appearance.

Community members should feel around the card holder and keypad to see if there are signs of tampering. Indicators may include loose connections or exposed glue or tape.

If a person comes across a suspicious device, notify the appropriate business representative, and call 801-799-3000 to file a non-emergency report.

If community members see someone tampering with an ATM or point-of-sale device, they should call 9-1-1.

This warning comes after Salt Lake City Police responded to a convenience store near 100 South Main Street on reports of a fraud in early March.

The store’s manager reported finding an unauthorized credit card reader on the ground. Upon closer inspection of the store’s ATM, employees found a fake number pad on the machine’s keypad.

There is no information as to who tampered with the ATM.

Two photos of the fake keypad are being released. Media may use these photos with credit to the Salt Lake City Police Department.

Photo: A photo of a fake keypad used during an ATM skimming scheme in Salt Lake City (SLCPD photo, April 1, 2024).

Photo: A photo of a fake keypad used during an ATM skimming scheme in Salt Lake City (SLCPD photo, April 1, 2024).

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