What does a card skimmer look like?
An illegal card skimmer usually just looks like a normal card reader, since the criminals who set them up are trying to trick people into swiping their cards.
Skimmers are designed to fit directly over a card reader at a store checkout, ATM, or gas station pump, but there are some signs you can watch for to spot skimmers and make sure you don’t become the victim of a crime.
Here’s everything you need to know about card identifying card skimmers and protecting your EBT benefits from theft.
Help keep your EBT card safe from theft with Propel
How to spot a card skimmer#how-to-spot-a-card-skimmer
Whether they are in your local grocery store or outside at the gas pump, card skimmers are designed to look and act like a normal card reader.
But there are some tell-tale signs that a card skimmer has been installed over the original machine, here are 5 things to look out for before you swipe your EBT card:
- A regular card reader typically curves inward, while a card skimmer may curve outward
- A card skimmer might block some of the buttons or other functions on a card reader, making it difficult to press buttons on the keypad or read text on the screen
- A hidden pinhole camera may be installed on or near the machine to capture your PIN, so if you notice a camera lens in a place where it has a view of the keypad, that’s a sign there might be a card skimmer installed
- A keypad overlay makes it easier for criminals to capture your PIN without a camera, so if you notice a keypad that isn’t built directly into the machine where you swipe your EBT card, that could mean a skimmer has been installed
- Signs of tampering, like scratches or gouges along the side of the card reader or loose parts that shift when you touch them, can also indicate a card skimmer has been installed
What to do if you find a card skimmer#what-to-do-if-you-find-a-card-skimmer
If you think the card reader you’re using is compromised, here’s what to do:
- Don’t swipe your EBT card (or any other card)
- If you’ve already swiped your EBT card, don’t enter your PIN
- Let the cashier or another store employee know that you think the machine may have a card skimmer attached
- Call your state’s EBT customer service number and request a new card
- Change your PIN as soon as you can
Can card skimmers steal your EBT benefits?#can-card-skimmers-steal-your-ebt-benefits
Yes, a card skimmer can steal your EBT benefits if you unknowingly swipe your EBT card through one. Criminals can use skimmed EBT card numbers and PINs to steal your SNAP benefits, in fact it’s one of the most common methods of EBT theft.
EBT cards are especially vulnerable to theft because, in most states, they have magnetic stripes instead of chips, so they have to be swiped rather than tapped.
That’s why it’s extra important for SNAP recipients to protect their EBT benefits by monitoring their balance regularly and checking for card readers before swiping their EBT card.
The Propel app offers security features that can help prevent theft, like blocking out-of-state transactions and suspicious transaction monitoring. Check to see which security options are available in your state so you can make sure to set them up.
Does tapping your card protect you from skimmers?#does-tapping-your-card-protect-you-from-skimmers
Yes, chip cards can reduce your risk of skimming because your card doesn’t need to physically interact with a compromised machine. The same is true of other contactless forms of payment, like Apple Pay or Google Wallet.
Most states don’t offer EBT cards with chips yet, which means SNAP recipients will need to take other steps to protect their EBT cards from illegal skimmers and scams.
