Weekly Crime Prevention Message From the Desk of Sheriff Wayne Ivey Focuses On Credit Card Skimming
By Wayne Ivey, Brevard Sheriff // May 7, 2018
protect yourself from credit card fraud
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – As Credit Card Fraud continues to victimize citizens and businesses across our country, a very common method used by criminals is to “Skim” the victims credit card using a wireless credit card reader.
Once the card is “skimmed” it can be uploaded onto a computer and then downloaded onto the back of a different card to be utilized by the criminal.
One of the most common places a credit card can be “skimmed” is at a restaurant where a small skimmer is used to capture the credit card information when the card is used to pay for services. We are a convenience driven society that is accustomed to sitting at a table and letting someone walk away with our credit card, taking it completely out of our sight.
To avoid becoming a victim, it is recommended as a preventative measure that you pay at the register with your credit card where your card never leaves your sight.
The next time you get ready to pay your bill please ask the server if you can pay at the register. This method does not offend the service provider in any way and allows you to keep absolute control over your credit card, while also giving you the peace of mind that you have not just become credit card fraud’s next victim.
In fairness, please keep in mind that the overwhelming majority of waiters and waitresses are good hard working people who would never do anything to hurt their customers or compromise personal information, however all it takes is one and both your good credit and good name have been stolen!
– Sheriff Wayne Ivey
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