Police say skimming devices found at 3 Columbus retail stores

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) – A novel method of stealing money has hit three grocery stores in Columbus.

Columbus Police are warning residents about “skimming,” a method of stealing debit or credit card information.

Almost everyone with a bank account also has a debit card. In today’s world of swiping or inserting a card to make purchases, thieves are becoming bolder and more creative in finding ways to steal your data before you even realize it.

“Skimmers — that’s the easiest way to put it,” said Sgt. Jane Edenfield of the Columbus Police Department’s Financial Crimes Unit.

Skimmers are fraudulent devices that look familiar but can quickly steal your financial information and money.

“So you insert your card and enter your PIN…we found three in Columbus,” Edenfield said.

Police said the devices are typically found at gas stations, but have also recently appeared at Piggly Wiggly on Moon Road, Winn-Dixie on Macon Road and Food Depot on Milgen Road.

“You insert the card, and it erases the data from the magnetic stripe on the back of the card,” Edenfield explained. “And when you enter your PIN, it reads the PIN off the card.”

Sgt Edenfield added that the fake keypads are placed directly above the real payment terminals at the checkout. She praises grocery stores for quickly detecting the illegal devices to protect their customers.

“It scares me. God, is there anywhere we can go that would be safe?” said a concerned citizen.

“With everything that’s going on in the world right now, you don’t want anyone stealing your data,” another citizen said.

In the meantime, Edenfield advises always keeping your safety in mind and considering alternative payment options when shopping at any store.

“So my advice is if you can, tap… and the other thing is to use a credit card so you don’t have to enter your PIN on these devices,” Edenfield said.

It urges people to regularly check their bank account and report any fraudulent activity immediately. It also recommends using cash whenever possible.