Officials: Card Skimming Spikes in Nassau

Nassau County officials released a warning Tuesday to all residents who use credit and debit cards after a spike in incidents involving skimming devices.

According to NCPD and the County Executive’s office, authorities have seen an increase in residents becoming victims of credit and debit card information thefts.

Many of the thefts have been achieved by criminals who attach skimming devices to ATMs or other machines where cards are swiped.

Officials said all residents should be vigilant when using their cards at ATMs and to not use any machine that appears altered. They also advised residents to be sure they enter PINs privately, and monitor bank statements so they can immediately report problems.

Anyone with information about skimming devices or similar crimes should call Nassau County Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS. All callers will remain anonymous. Those who believe they are victims of a scam should call 911 immediately.

In May, three skimming devices were found attached to pumps at Gulf Gas Station in Merrick, cops said. A technician found the devices after the station’s owner reported several pumps that had stopped accepting card transactions.

Last week, three people were arrested after they were found with a small skimming device, a card re-encoder, and re-encoded credit cards. The trio was charged after a car accident in Lynbrook.

Image: Card skimmer found at Merrick gas station. Credit: NCPD