20 Skimming Devices Found In Widespread Search In Fairfax County: See List

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Skimming devices were found at 20 locations in a widespread investigation by Fairfax County Police.

Police had searched more than 100 violations across Fairfax County for skimming devices, which are hidden in payment terminals to steal personal information from debit and credit cards. The police department's Financial Crimes Unit received help from the U.S. Secret Service to search 287 point-of-sales terminals, 158 ATMS and 46 gas pumps.

The 20 skimming devices were found at convenience stores, discount stores and grocery stores in Fairfax County and the Town of Herndon.

Here are the locations of skimming devices, according to Fairfax County Police:

• Dollar Tree, 13653 B Lee Jackson Mem Hwy., Chantilly
• 7-Eleven, 3100 Lockheed Blvd., Groveton
• 7-Eleven, 5834 North Kings Hwy., Huntington
• 7-Eleven, 6138 North Kings Hwy., Huntington
• 7-Eleven, 2305 Huntington Ave., Huntington
• Dollar Tree, 672 Elden St., Town of Herndon
• 7-Eleven, 8146 Mount Vernon Hwy., Mount Vernon
• 7-Eleven, 2405 Fairhaven Ave., Fair Haven
• Fresh World, 1070 Elden St., Town of Herndon
• 7-Eleven, 7448 Little River Turnpike Suite B, Annandale
• 7-Eleven, 2800 Beacon Hill Rd., Groveton
• Fresh World, 7451 Vernon Square Dr., Hybla Valley
• 7-Eleven, 13830 Lee Hwy., Centreville
• 7-Eleven, 8434 Frye Rd., Alexandria
• Americana Grocery of Virginia, 6128 Columbia Pike, Lake Barcroft
• 7-Eleven, 3337 Glen Carlyn Drive, Bailey’s Crossroads
• 7-Eleven, 7222 Arlington Blvd., Woodley/West Falls Church
• 7-Eleven, 7243 Arlington Blvd., Woodley/West Falls Church

Police did not specify dates of when the skimming device searches were occurring. Detectives are working with the Secret Service to investigate the skimming devices and identify suspects. There have been no arrests yet, but police will continue to investigate and pursue leads on suspects or links to larger fraud networks.

Fairfax County Police encourage the following tips for residents to protect themselves against skimming devices.

• Inspect before you insert. Before using an ATM or gas pump, look closely at the card reader and keypad. If the card slot looks loose, bulky, or mismatched in color or material compared to the rest of the machine, it could be a skimmer.
• Check for hidden cameras. Skimmers are often paired with tiny cameras aimed at capturing your PIN. Look for any unusual attachments, pinholes, or objects positioned near the keypad.
• Do not accept assistance from anyone you don’t know while using an ATM or payment device. Scammers sometimes pose as helpful bystanders to distract you or capture your information.
• Cover your PIN. Always use your hand to shield the keypad while entering your PIN, even if you don’t see anything suspicious.
• Use familiar or well-lit locations. Whenever possible, use ATMs inside banks or high-traffic areas where criminals are less likely to install devices unnoticed.
• Monitor your accounts regularly. Review your bank and credit card statements frequently for unauthorized transactions, even small ones, which can signal a compromised card.
• Use contactless payment methods. Tap-to-pay cards or mobile wallets provide an extra layer of protection, as they don’t transmit your physical card data.

Residents who encounter suspicious devices are urged to not attempt removing them but contact police at 703-691-2131. Information about the skimming device investigation can be reported to the Financial Crimes Unit at 703-246-3533.