Skimmers found in some Safeway stores, credit card fraud

[Circuits]

I use CC pretty extensively, since it doesn't link to my bank account, and I'm not held liable for fraudulent charges. If that ever changes, my spending patterns might.

I don't use an ATM/debit card except in locations/ATMs I'm confident in, for the very reason that it *is* tied to my bank account. Basically only at my bank's inside ATMs when I want some stash cash or have to pay cash for something like a money order.

[Great-Kazoo]

I use a credit card account that is not tied to my bank account. I use the credit card for everything, then pay it off manually each month. I check the balance daily or every other day. It takes about 1 minute. If there is fraud, I have the money back within 24 hours. If you have fraud on a debit card, it can take weeks to file a claim, and you may or may not get it back. You run about the same risk getting pick pocketed as you do getting skimmed, and you are 100% guaranteed not to get the cash from your wallet back.

Whether it was Target, Anthem, the Military or any of the other major hacks I was hit every time. This was the only way to get the money back.

Cash is for very specific items, but definitely not groceries or gas or normal purchases.

Never paid for food with anything other then cash. The Only time a CC is used for gas is on trips. Alert CC company we are traveling and to limit any purchase to $50. Unless i call prior to transaction. It's a hassle but keeps cc co and us on top of it.
We're Luddites when it comes to electronic alerts or other new fangled E lect rickal newness.

[crashdown]

I use my CC for everything I possibly can.
But I also enjoy not paying for airfare, rental cars, or hotels.... Points cover all of those things.
We don't ever carry a balance long enough to pay interest, have no annual fees, and it's safer than cash.
Using a debit card linked a bank account is a much different thing. Even though I don't use the debit card, I keep a minimum in checking, and don't have my savings linked to checking just in case.
We have had CC fraud a few times. The CC company usually catches it within minutes. We get new cards overnighted, and have never suffered any pains disputing the charges.

[hollohas]

How come these stories about skimmers never show any pictures? What do these devices look like and how can someone install one unnoticed on a card reader in a checkout lane? There must be some way to tell they are there or Safeway wouldn't have found them.

[sampson]

How come these stories about skimmers never show any pictures? What do these devices look like and how can someone install one unnoticed on a card reader in a checkout lane? There must be some way to tell they are there or Safeway wouldn't have found them.

A few pics from google search. I agree a pic to know what to look for would be nice. They probably don't want to give people any ideas.

[Irving]

Came to post the same pictures. They are usually exact replicas of the front plate of the card reader, so it's not like you'd notice, if that makes anyone feel any better.

[PugnacAutMortem]

Usually these devices are meant to be installed and removed quickly so I have started trying to physically move the card reader slot before I swipe my card. That doesn't help in the case of the internal bluetooth skimmer though.

[Danimal]

Deleted

[th3w01f]

This is one of the big reasons all the cards are being replaced with cards with EMV chips. Of course, that doesn't help if the place you're paying doesn't have the chip readers installed yet.

“EMV chips create a unique payment code with every use, so if a fraudster was able to steal those payment credentials, they’d be worthless for any other purchase,”

[BigBear]

I can solve the problem... I have no money to steal... I'm pretty safe... lol.