Skimming Devices Removed From 4 Locations In Harford County: Sheriff

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — Technicians working on credit card machines discovered skimming devices at seven locations in Harford County in recent weeks, officials say.

Card skimming involves installing a device, which is often difficult to detect, that records account information when a credit card is swiped. Criminals use the data to access the victim’s bank account.

"It can be difficult to discover these devices, and law enforcement often relies on the technicians who service the machines to locate and report their existence," Harford County Sheriff's Office spokesman Kyle Andersen told Patch Tuesday.

Since May 12, the sheriff's office has been notified of seven skimming devices, he said, and three were at one gas station alone. Skimmers were found at three Exxon stations and one 7-Eleven.

According to Andersen, skimmers were found at the following locations:

• Exxon, 2940 Emmorton Road, Abingdon; three devices were recovered June 1.
• Exxon, 2019 Rock Spring Road, Forest Hill; two devices were recovered May 19.
• Exxon, 600 West Macphail Road, Bel Air; one device was recovered May 19.
• 7-Eleven, 602 Pulaski Highway, Joppa; one device was recovered from an ATM on May 12.

See Also: 7 Credit Card Skimmers Found In Harford County

To avoid becoming a victim, Andersen advised checking an ATM to ensure the card reader cannot come loose.

People should also keep tabs on their bank accounts. Notify the bank and police of unfamiliar transactions immediately, since the sooner a report is filed, the easier it is to track when information was stolen.

"Also, if you see something, say something!" the sheriff's office said in a statement. "If you witness someone tampering with a gas pump, especially if the door around the card reader is open and the gas station is closed, call 911. It could be criminals in the act!"

• 'Skimmers' Found At 2 Harford County ATMs
  
• ATM Skimming Person of Interest Sought: PHOTOS
• Abingdon Credit Card Skimmers Sought: Sheriff

File Photo: Flickr Commons.