What is Skimming

In speaking of drawbacks of credit cards another formprevent this action and that is to make sure you
is the fraud of making copies of stored informationalways keep a sharp eye upon the credit cards.
upon the credit card, also known as "Skimming". ThisSkimming has also known to take place at various
has become extremely popular for those who areunwatched ATMS such as those within a mall. Your
making the business of stealing other peoples financialcredit card could become stuck within the ATM or
information and making use of it. Each time you letdone in such a way that you believe that the ATM
your credit card leave your hands, you run the risk ofhas kept your card for some reason, but in actuality,
credit card skimming.the thief has inserted something within the ATM in
In general, skimming occurs in a public place such as aefforts to steal your card along with a camera that
restaurant, shop, or retail store. Anyone who ishas recorded your pin number.
dishonest and in the fraud business such as a cashierIt is important that you become extremely aware of
or waiter could swipe the credit card for payment ofyour surroundings and keep close eyes upon your
their services and then unbeknownst to you swipe it asurroundings. Make sure, if the ATM ever keeps your
second time in a device known as a "skimmer". Acard that, you immediately report the instance to the
skimmer is a small device that is similar to the size of abank or Credit Card Company. Additionally, you should
pager that has a slot; this is purchased very easily onensure that each credit card statement you receive,
the internet. What it does is it will record informationyou carefully examine it for anything that should not be
stored upon a credit card (magnetic strip) and it will doon there. Make sure you keep all limits of credit low
so extremely fast. Then the information that it recordsupon credit cards to help minimize losses if you do fall
is passed to thieves who will then put the informationprey to skimming. With the risks of being financially
upon a credit card that is counterfeit.crippled, you should be keenly aware of any and all
This essentially means that your money is now in theactivity in regards to your credit cards.
hands of the thieves. There is only one way to