Credit Card Reader Security Advancements
Recently on a trip to my local Wawa store I noticed a security enhancement on their credit card readers. For those that don’t know Wawa is just like a Sheetz, Rutters, or a better version of a 7 Eleven. This is something I haven’t seen in ANY store before. This extremely basic security advancement will help stop credit card skimmers.
 What is a Credit Card Skimmer?
Credit card skimmers work by recording your card information allowing a 3rd party to later harvest that data and create a copy of your credit card. Since your card is still processed as normal in the device you inserted it into, people often have no idea their card data has been stolen. The device is typically fitted over the existing card reader, often barely noticeable except by a trained observant eye.
How to Spot Them?
Often a replicate of the original device is made that goes over top of the original credit reader. These are pretty identical with only small differences. ATM Skimmers also fit over the original card reader but would need to be accompanied by a either a camera or pin pad to capture your pin number. Unless of coarse they only intended to use your debit card for online purchases. In that case they would have everything they needed without the pin to drain your account with fraudulent purchases.
The FIX!
To fix this problem Wawa has added a holographic yellow strip in a location that would typically be covered by the credit skimmer. Allowing the person inserting their card to easily notice something different. If this method catches on and the public becomes educated to it’s purpose it will undoubtedly save many people from being victimized by hackers. So basic but yet so ingenious. This doesn’t mean it can’t be defeated. I’m sure it can be replicated but it does give one more level of security against credit card fraud. Which was over 10 billion in 2023 alone.
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