Skimming Device Found At 7-Eleven In Fairfax County

GROVETON, VA—Have you been to the ATM machine at the 6300 South Kings Highway 7-Eleven recently? You might want to check your account, because a skimming device was found Friday, Aug. 4.

Around 4 p.m., a customer was using the ATM machine when his card became stuck. He attempted to pull the card out, and the card receiver cracked. The customer notified staff, and police came to investigate. Authorities located a card skimmer and a camera attached in the machine.

Skimming devices are attached to machines that have card readers. The device collects financial information, including PIN numbers, when an individual slides a card through the reader. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

Financial Crime detectives offer the following tips to protect yourself from skimming devices:

• Inspect the machine. Devices may not be visible, but signs of pry marks, scratching or tampering could indicate presence of a skimming device.
• Use your credit card rather than a debit/ATM card to avoid PIN numbers from being recorded. Plus, bank funds are often more difficult to get reimbursed.
• Shield your PIN number from nearby individuals.
• Regularly check bank and card statements for fraudulent activity, even for small charges. Call your bank or credit card company right away if you suspect fraudulent activity.
• Use ATMs or machines in areas with security cameras.

To report information, call Fairfax County Police at 703-691-2131 or submit a tip online through Crime Solvers. To report a financial crime in Fairfax County, go online to the Financial Crimes Online Reporting (FiCOR) system.

Watch: ATM Scams: What To Look For

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