Credit Card Skimming: How thieves can steal your card info without you knowing it

I’ve been giving security talks to Cisco users groups lately and thought it would be interesting to add a few slides on skimmers to my presentation. Before I presented I asked the audience how many have heard of skimmers. I was very surprised by the result. Only about 1/3 of the room said they had. This was surprising to me mostly because of the fact that my audience was comprised solely of technical professionals. Granted that few of them were security focused but still all of them were wise to the ways of technology and Identity theft. For example, if I would have asked who has heard of Phishing I’m sure everyone would have said yes. What is more disturbing perhaps is what the result would have been if I asked a group of “baby boomers” if they knew what a skimmer was? 5 Percent, maybe less, would say yes is my guess.

This ad-hoc poll suggests to me that public awareness of the real threat posed by credit card skimming is almost non-existent and in need of help. Thus the reason I am writing this blog, to help get the word out. Now you, friendly reader, have been enlisted to help spread the word to your friends and family as well.

There are several websites that have recommendations for defending yourself against card skimming and what to do if you become a victim. Here are two such sites
Fightfraud.nv.gov
Federal Trade Commission

So were you aware of this threat? Did you know it was becoming more common? Have you ever been skimmed before? What actions are you going to take during your next credit card swipe? Is anything safe these days. I guess if nothing else this makes brick and mortar shopping just as risky as Internet shopping wouldn’t you agree?

The opinions and information presented here are my personal views and not those of my employer.

More from Jamey Heary:
* iPhone raises Privacy concerns: it records screenshots every time you hit the home button

* Cisco enters the crowded AV and DLP client market
*Cisco's new ASA code allows you to securely take your Cisco IP Phone with you anywhere
* Cisco targets Symantec, McAfee with its new antivirus client
* Google's Chrome raises security concerns and tastes like chicken feet a>

Go to Cisco Subnet for more Cisco news, blogs, discussion forums, security alerts, book giveaways, and more.

• Cisco
• Security
• atm skimmers
• credit card fraud
• credit card theft
• Heary
• identity theft
• Jamey Heary
• security
• skimmers