Belleville, KS – The Belleville Police Department is investigating the discovery of an external card skimmer device found on a register at the Casey’s General Store on Highway 36.
The device was reported to police on Sunday, October 19, after it was found placed on the register closest to the store’s door. External card skimmers are sophisticated devices designed to look like a normal part of a card reading station, but they secretly capture debit or credit card information and PIN numbers as customers swipe their cards and use the keypad. This stolen data can then be used by criminals to make fraudulent purchases.
The Belleville Police Department has launched an investigation into the incident and is urging the public to exercise caution. Authorities are encouraging residents to closely monitor their financial accounts for any suspicious activity and to deactivate any cards immediately if unauthorized purchases are found.
In light of the incident, officials also offered tips for the public to spot and avoid falling victim to these pervasive devices:
- Inspect the Keypad: Always look for signs of tampering. If any part of the card reader or keypad appears misaligned, discolored, or otherwise out of place, there is a chance a skimming device has been attached.
- Guard Your PIN: Cover the keypad with your hand when entering your PIN. Some skimming setups include hidden cameras aimed at recording keystrokes, and blocking the view can prevent your PIN from being stolen.
- Prioritize Secure Payment Methods: Use chip readers or contactless payment methods whenever possible. Chip cards generate a unique code for each transaction, making the data more secure than static-data magnetic stripe cards. Contactless payments also keep your physical card information away from any potential skimmers or cameras.
- Monitor Accounts Diligently: The most critical defense is actively checking your financial statements. Regularly review your accounts for any unauthorized purchases. If fraudulent activity is detected, report the issue to your bank immediately and cancel the compromised card.
