Scammers and fraudsters are working really hard in New York State this summer. Recently, credit card skimmers were found in 11 Walmarts around upstate and central New York. Police are looking for three people suspected of placing the skimmers in Walmart stores, according to Syracuse.com.

New York State Police
New York State Police
loading...

What Are Credit Card Skimmers?

Skimming is no small-time crime. It costs financial institutions and consumers an estimated $1 billion annually. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation,

Skimming occurs when devices illegally installed on ATMs, point-of-sale (POS) terminals, or fuel pumps capture data or record cardholders' PINs. Criminals use the data to create fake debit or credit cards and then steal from victims' accounts.

FBI
FBI
loading...

Can Criminals Steal Your Info Using Skimmers If You Use Tap To Pay?

Tap to pay or contactless payment is available on some credit and debit cards. You can also load cards into a digital wallet on your phone to use via tap to pay technology. Tap to pay uses a short-range radio frequency identification (RFID) antenna, which limits the transmission of digital information to a very small range.

Visa ID Intelligence Launch Party at Money 20/20
Isaac Brekken/Getty Images
loading...

With skimming fraud seemingly running rampant in New York, you might be wondering if it's safer to use "tap to pay." Not all cards are equipped with tap to pay, but for me personally, I use my cards that have it way more than the ones that don't. It's faster and more convenient in my opinion. But, is it actually safer?

According to VERIFY,

The tap-to-pay method of payment used in contactless card transactions does not put the card in contact with card skimmers, which are typically hidden inside of card readers. Card skimmers record and store credit card information and PINs that can be recovered later to create counterfeit duplicates, which are then used to steal from victims’ accounts, the FBI says. A majority of these devices are designed to steal information from card swipes, although some are capable of targeting chip payments, the FBI says.

With that said, nothing is foolproof, especially when scammers seem to be 10 steps ahead with technology. WalletHub suggests that criminals could use RFID readers close to credit card processing systems to steal data from contactless cards. The key is to be diligent in reviewing your debit and credit card transactions and reporting anything suspicious immediately.

**This article is not intended to provide financial advice or counsel.

Hudson Valley Post logo
Get our free mobile app

FBI Says YOU Need to Watch Out for These Scams

These scams are hitting people and the FBI doesn't want you to become the next victim.

Causes of Credit Card Debt

Credit Card debt in America sits at a record $986 billion. And 35% of American adults carry some kind of credit card balance. Developing good financial habits, such as budgeting, saving, and understanding credit card terms, can help prevent or manage credit card debt effectively. It's important to note that each individual's situation is unique, and a combination of these factors or other personal circumstances can contribute to credit card debt. Here are some of those factors

More From Hudson Valley Post