Police are warning Walmart customers to stay alert after investigators uncovered an alleged card-skimming operation that may have compromised the financial information of dozens of shoppers.
According to authorities in Lubbock, Texas, two suspects are accused of secretly installing a hidden skimming device on a self-checkout payment terminal inside a Walmart Neighborhood Market.
Investigators say the device remained undetected long enough to capture data from 149 credit and debit cards before it was discovered and removed.
The suspects have been charged with multiple felony offenses, including credit card fraud, identity theft, and unlawfully intercepting electronic communications. Detectives also believe the case could be connected to a larger organized crime operation spanning several counties across Texas.
How to Protect Yourself
Law enforcement recommends taking a few simple precautions every time you pay with a card:
- Inspect the card reader before using it. If anything looks loose, bulky, damaged, or out of place, avoid using that terminal.
- Use tap-to-pay or a mobile wallet whenever possible. Contactless payments are generally much more difficult for skimming devices to compromise.
- Review your bank and credit card statements regularly and report any unfamiliar or unauthorized transactions immediately.
- Notify the retailer, your financial institution, and local police if you notice a suspicious payment terminal or discover fraudulent charges on your account.
Authorities remind shoppers that staying alert at checkout and monitoring your accounts can help prevent financial losses and identity theft.