Police Share Tips On How To Avoid Card Skimmers

CANTON, GA — The Canton Police Department continues to receive reports from residents that their financial information has been compromised. Police saw an uptick in these reports on Sunday and as of early Thursday afternoon, the agency has responded to and reported at least 21 incidents of identity theft, said Chief Mark Mitchell.

Residents began reporting irregularities after they noticed money from their accounts had been withdrawn from various ATMs around metro Atlanta. At least one resident said she had $400 stolen from her account after she used her debit card at gas stations in Canton and Hickory Flat, according to her Facebook page.

Another resident told Patch her neighbors have reported charges from their debit cards appearing at places as far as College Park and the Camp Creek Parkway area. She noted it's possible their PINs were obtained from recent purchases made at local gas stations.

Chief Mitchell said Canton police investigators are working with the victims' financial institutions to obtain evidence in the hopes that "we will come up with clues to point us toward who is responsible for these crimes."

"We will also be working closely with our fellow law enforcement jurisdictions in the county, as they are also investigating similar cases with most likely the same criminal actors," he said.

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So, how can you reduce your chances of becoming a victim of financial card skimmers? The Canton Police Department is sharing the following information with the public:

• Choose gas pumps closest to and within sight of cashiers.
• Use ATMs in well-lit, secure locations.
• Look at the card reader slot and surrounding areas for anything that looks out of place, mismatched, or loose.
• Make sure no one is watching you enter your PIN or filming you on a cell phone.
• Use your card as credit and not as debit
• Use your eyes: look before you insert your card.
• Use your fingers: if something doesn’t feel right move on.
• Pay inside with cash or credit instead of at the pump.
• Choose pumps closest to the building.
• Check your bank statement regularly.

Image via Shutterstock