Men Sought In Credit Card ‘Skimming’ Incident: Stratford Police

STRATFORD, CT — Police are asking for help with identifying two men in connection with a credit card “skimming” incident at a 7-Eleven.

Police said an overlay skimming device was found on the credit card reader at 7-Eleven in Paradise Green. The skimming device was attached to one of the readers from 5:54 p.m. on April 26 to 8 a.m. on April 28, according to police.

“This device will ONLY record card numbers if the card was SWIPED along the magnetic strip,” police wrote in a post on Facebook. “This skimming device does NOT record card numbers if the card was inserted in the chip reader or if the touchless feature was used.

“If you believe you used a credit/debit card at 7-Eleven between these times and utilized the magnetic strip feature of your card please monitor your recent transactions closely.

“The skimming device was confiscated, it is unknown if any card information was obtained by the suspects.”

Anyone with information on the suspects is asked to contact Detective Panton at MPanton@townofstratford.com.

Police are also offering the following tips to help avoid becoming a victim to a skimming crime:

• Do a quick scan. Before using any machine, take a look to make sure it hasn't been tampered with. If the card reader seems loose, crooked, or damaged, if the graphics aren’t aligned, or if part of the machine is a different color, don’t insert or swipe your card. If there is another machine nearby compare them to see if there are obvious differences.
• Be wary of non-bank ATMs
• Check the keypad, do the numbers feel hard to press or are they sticking? The machine may have a false keypad attached
• Block your PIN with your hand, small cameras can be installed to watch the # you enter
• Use mobile wallet - ApplePay GooglePay etc
• Pay inside at gas stations
• Stay in public view
• Check your accounts regularly
• Sign up for alerts from your card servicers

If you suspect a card skimming device is present, alert the manager and the police department immediately.

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