CHILLICOTHE, Ohio – A second card skimmer has been discovered in Chillicothe, Ohio, raising concerns about a potential rise in credit card fraud in the area. The Ross County Sheriff’s Office reported that employees at the Corner Market on Charleston Pike found the skimmer attached to one of their credit card readers on Sunday.
What is a Card Skimmer?
Card skimmers are devices illegally attached to legitimate card readers that steal credit or debit card information when a card is swiped. This stolen information can then be used to create counterfeit cards or make fraudulent purchases online. Skimmers are often difficult to detect, as they can be designed to look nearly identical to the real card reader.
Continuing Investigation
According to the Ross County Sheriff’s Office, only one skimmer was found at the Corner Market. This comes just one week after another skimmer was discovered at an unidentified business on Western Avenue. Details about the Western Avenue case have not yet been released by authorities.
The news of the Chillicothe skimmers follows a recent warning issued by police in Dayton about an increase in EBT skimmers targeting recipients of government benefits.
Recommendations for Consumers
Law enforcement officials across the region are urging consumers to be vigilant when using credit or debit cards. Here are some tips to help protect yourself from card skimmers:
- Be aware of your surroundings and look closely at the card reader before swiping your card.
- If the card reader appears loose, damaged, or has an additional piece attached, avoid using it.
- Consider using chip-enabled cards whenever possible, as they offer greater security than traditional magnetic stripe cards.
- Regularly monitor your bank statements for any suspicious activity.
The Ross County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident at the Corner Market and is asking anyone with information to come forward.
