The U.S. Secret Service is wrapping up a major two-day initiative to get illegal card skimmers out of stores and off gas pumps in Tarrant County.
More than 200 stores and over 400 gas pumps were inspected to combat a crime that is costing taxpayers millions of dollars.
Skimmers fit over credit card readers, with some wiring attached. They don’t cost anything to make, but authorities say each one can generate as much as $1 million for thieves who use them.
Ten teams of agents inspected card readers at more than 1,500 cash registers, ATMs and gas pumps. The enforcement effort also included educating business owners on how to spot a skimmer.
“We feel as though this is the best way to curtail these particular things,” said Corey Graves, with the U.S. Secret Service Dallas Field Office. “Just to do this outreach program because we’re again going out and we’re visually inspecting.”
The…
Educate elderly family members about the “Grandchild in Trouble” scam, where criminals impersonate relatives in distress to demand urgent wire transfers or gift card codes.