Bank customers hit by unidentified credit card skimmer

Columbus-area customers of several banks are reporting that someone stole money from their accounts over the weekend, likely with an as-yet unidentified skimming device at an area store.

Chrissy Bailey, vice president of marketing for Centra Credit Union, said that the card skimmer affected a number of Centra customers. Many of the fraudulent transactions were caught by the credit union’s fraud monitoring program, but customers should carefully review their recent account transactions and quickly report any suspected fraud.

Bailey said that Centra had concluded that the source of the fraud is likely a card skimmer placed over a card reader at a merchant in the Columbus area. However, without a merchant finding and removing a card skimmer, it is impossible to positively identify the source of the fraud.

Customers from at least five local banks were up in arms on social media about hundreds of dollars in unauthorized charges on their accounts over the holiday weekend.

Bailey suggested you check for a card skimmer before using your card at local stores.

Signs of a possible skimming device include:

• Check for damage and/or white glue-like residue on the card reader slot. This can indicate a criminal has attempted to insert a skimmer into the card reader slot.
• If a card reader feels loose, try to move it back and forth. If it appears the reader is not secured to the machine, it may be a skimmer inserted over the top of the reader.
• If you have a tough time inserting, moving, or swiping your card, there may be an internal skimmer inserted into the card reader.

Any potential skimmer devices identified should be reported to the merchant, owner of the ATM, or police immediately.

Bailey said that in late 2017 and early 2018, new card readers were installed at all Centra ATMs to prevent skimmers from being installed.

If you believe you have been affected by the thefts, you should contact your bank and local police. Bailey said Centra customers can report any suspected fraud to their local branch or by calling 800-232-3642.