Scammers are getting sneakier, and you may not even realize you’ve been targeted until it’s too late. Here’s how to protect yourself.
HOUSTON — You may think your credit or debit card is secure in your wallet, but scammers are getting more sophisticated, and you might not realize you’ve been targeted until it’s too late.
In fact, some victims still have their physical cards in hand when fraud occurs. That’s what happened twice to a Houston-area consumer in recent months, highlighting just how sneaky skimming has become.
According to the Better Business Bureau, credit card skimming continues to be a growing issue.
“We have seen an increase in these types of credit card skimming scams. It has happened nationwide, not just in our area, but across the whole country,” said Leah Napoliello, vice president of Investigations and Public Affairs with the BBB of Greater Houston and South Texas.
What is skimming, and where does it happen?
Credit card skimmers are small devices placed on card readers that steal your payment information during a transaction. The scammers then use that information later to make unauthorized purchases.
“A gas station or an ATM, especially if they’re isolated in some way. They’re not, like well-lit or well-populated,” Napoliello explained. “And that’s the type of card reader that these thieves will target, unfortunately. So, they do sometimes at stores. We have seen it, but not as often.”
What about Tap-To-Pay?
Contactless payment has long been considered one of the safest ways to avoid skimming, and so far, that holds true.
“We haven’t seen anything like that so far, but you never know. The technology could change and the thieves could find a way to access those accounts using contactless pay as well. So, it is important for us to check and monitor,” Napoliello said.
How to protect yourself
The Houston Police Department is urging consumers to stay vigilant. Even if you’re using a chip or Tap-To-Pay feature, they recommend taking the following precautions:
- Inspect the card reader – Gently tug or wiggle the card slot. Skimmers are often loose, bulky, or look like extra attachments.
- Look for signs of tampering – Check for mismatched colors, misaligned parts, or anything that looks out of place on the machine.
- Cover the keypad – Always shield your hand when entering your PIN to protect against hidden cameras.
- Use chip or Tap-to-Pay – When possible, use chip or contactless payment options instead of swiping.
- Stick to safe locations – Use ATMs in well-lit, busy areas (preferably inside banks) and avoid isolated or suspicious-looking machines.
While most victims report skimming to their banks, HPD says notifying police can help them track trends and identify problem locations in the Houston area.