MA Big Y Stores Had Credit Card Skimmers During Christmas Season

WORCESTER, MA — The Big Y supermarket chain is warning customers about potential thefts that occurred through credit card skimmers at a handful of the company's Massachusetts stores.

Credit and debit card skimmers were active in terminals in 10 stores in Worcester, Hampden and Hampshire counties between Dec. 19 and Dec. 21. The stores include Milford, Worcester, Southbridge, Ware, Northampton, Springfield, Chicopee, St. James (Springfield), Wilbraham and Ludlow. A skimmer was active at a store in Westfield between Dec. 19 and Jan. 12, according to the company.

The skimmers were inserted into only a single terminal in each store, but the company is advising its customers to watch bank accounts for potential fraud.

"We are actively investigating the circumstances surrounding this incident, and we notified and are working with law enforcement," a Feb. 16 Big Y news release said. "We have inspected all of our terminals, and continue to do so. If we learn that any particular customer’s information was compromised, we will promptly notify them and provide them with additional information so that they can take steps to protect themselves."

Skimmers are small electronic devices that can be inserted into cashier terminals. The devices intercept and transmit data like card and pin numbers. Skimmers are typically found at gas pumps, ATMs and store checkout areas. Skimmers steal an estimated $1 billion from cardholders each year, according to Capitol One.