Police have issued an urgent self-checkout warning after a scam by fraudsters went unnoticed for 18 days. At several Walmart locations in Cromwell, Conn., thieves placed card-skimming devices disguised as PIN pads in the self-checkout aisles. It’s the latest example of an alarming new fraud on self-checkouts. Card skimmers, often hidden on cash and card machines, steal information such as card numbers and PINs from credit and debit cards. With that information, thieves can make fake cards and the information for online purchases without the owner’s permission. Walmart is currently reviewing protocols and adding enhanced security measures to better protect in-store transactions. To avoid card skimming scams, authorities recommend using contactless cards — those with an emblem that allows you to tap or wave your card over the card reader (no swiping required) or Apple Pay, which doesn’t require inserting a card into a machine.
