Big Y Reports Card Skimmers At 11 Massachusetts Stores
Attention shoppers in aisle 9. Grocery giant Big Y reports card skimmers at 11 Massachusetts stores. Before we see what 11 stores were affected, let’s start with this important question: what is a card skimmer?
How To Detect A Card Skimmer
A card skimmer is make-shift device disguised to look like the normal card scanner we use every day. The skimmer is attached to a regular scanner by bad guys, to steal your card information. The easiest place to get scammed by a card skimmer is at a gas station. While it happens, supermarket chains seem to be the newest target. Other recent targets with Big Y include Market Basket and Roche Brothers.
According Time.com:
The easiest way to detect a credit card skimmer is to yank, pull, and tug. Before you put your card into a point-of-sale terminal, wiggle a few parts of the machine to see if anything is loose.
A card skimmer is a physical device, attached or placed over a normal card skimmer. When you make your purchase, if the scanner where you insert your card looks funny, awkward or different that others nearby, cancel the purchase, and ask for a manager.
How To Protect Yourself From Credit Card Fraud
Finance site Wallethub offers these smart tips to protect yourself:
1-Check your bank and credit card statements regularly, cross referencing purchases, receipts and what it is reporting.
2-Look to see if your bank offers fraud protection. Trust me, we ALL need it these days.
3-Cancel your card if lost, IMMEDIATLEY. While it’s a short term convenience, in the long run it will save you a lifetime of headaches.
4-With the new world of electronic tipping, make sure you don’t leave it blank, leaving it open for interpretation. Finish the transaction.
Big Y Reports Card Skimmers
According to WCVB, Big Y reported finding card skimmers at 11 locations, including two in Springfield, one in Chicopee, Northampton, Ware, Southbridge, Worcester on Mayfield Street, Milford, Wilbraham, Ludlow and Westfield.
If you shop at the Big Y in these towns, and feel you could be at risk, call Big Y at 1-800-828-2688 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.