A device called a skimmer can be used to steal credit card information after you swipe it.
According to Lubbock Police, there was a January investigation involving hundreds of stolen credit and debit cards through these types of devices.
Experts say when you’re pumping gas or at the ATM machine make sure nothing has been tampered with, they say a big red flag is if there are scratches around the card reader.
“This type of crime is just rampant these days, you can not be careful enough with your ATM and debit card,” said Randy Laycock, senior vice president of Lubbock National Bank.
The skimming device reads the electronic information that’s in the card, Laycock said.
“They confiscate all that information and they’ll make their own debit card,” Laycock said.
He said the quicker you report the incident the better to prevent more fraudulent activity on your account.
“The consumer laws are good, they protect our consumers from any fraudulent transactions as long as they report it in a timely manner,” Laycock said.
He also suggests to be careful where you keep your card.
“Keep it close to you don’t leave it lying around at home or at your desk at work also keep your pin number private, don’t write your pin down or on the back of the card,” Laycock said.
However, if your accounts have been hacked, he said the first step is to call your bank’s customer service department to cancel your debit or credit card.
“Things that I suggest to customers and especially young people is to use your debit card like cash,” Laycock said.
Experts say when you’re pumping gas or at the ATM machine make sure nothing has been tampered with, they say a big red flag is if there are scratches around the card reader.
“This type of crime is just rampant these days, you can not be careful enough with your ATM and debit card,” said Randy Laycock, senior vice president of Lubbock National Bank.
The skimming device reads the electronic information that’s in the card, Laycock said.
“They confiscate all that information and they’ll make their own debit card,” Laycock said.
He said the quicker you report the incident the better to prevent more fraudulent activity on your account.
“The consumer laws are good, they protect our consumers from any fraudulent transactions as long as they report it in a timely manner,” Laycock said.
He also suggests to be careful where you keep your card.
“Keep it close to you don’t leave it lying around at home or at your desk at work also keep your pin number private, don’t write your pin down or on the back of the card,” Laycock said.
However, if your accounts have been hacked, he said the first step is to call your bank’s customer service department to cancel your debit or credit card.
“Things that I suggest to customers and especially young people is to use your debit card like cash,” Laycock said.
