Concerns over Credit Card Skimming
Today’s society is a convenience driven society that each of us has become comfortable with. Unfortunately, convenience and comfort can often give us a false sense of security that exposes us to increased risks of becoming the victims of Identity Theft and Credit Card Fraud.
One of those comforts is the luxury to sit in a restaurant and have our server take our credit card and bill to the register to facilitate payment. For the most part waiters and waitresses are some of the hardest working and most integral members of the service industry.
Unfortunately though, there are a significant number of them that carry “electronic skimmers” in their aprons and pockets allowing them the ability to electronically steal the information that is concealed in the magnetic strip of your credit card.
Within hours and in some cases even minutes your information is downloaded into a computer and placed on the magnetic strip of a cloned credit card that contains your billing information. The newly created card with your information is then sold on the “black market” and used until it reaches the maximum charge limit.
I am often asked during seminars how we can stop or at least prevent ourselves from becoming victims of this type of criminal activity. One answer is to always accompany the waitress/waiter to the cash register and maintain absolute control of your credit card.
There should be nothing embarrassing about doing this as each of us has the right and privilege of protecting ourselves from identity thieves and credit card fraud. Another significant step toward protecting yourself from credit card skimming is to routinely review your credit card billing statement to make sure that all the charges are the result of legitimate activity.
As with all forms of Identity Theft, education, awareness, and early recognition are vital keys to protecting your good name.
Wayne Ivey
27 Year law Enforcement Veteran
Identity Theft Consultant
