Cedar Rapids Police are investigating after credit card skimming devices were discovered at two Family Dollar stores in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The devices were found and removed on Tuesday from registers located at 901 1st Avenue SW and 1531 32nd Street NE.
Police officials have stated that the skimmers may have captured sensitive data from the magnetic strips of credit and debit cards used at the stores. This could potentially grant unauthorized individuals access to financial accounts. The full extent of the compromised data is currently under investigation.
Authorities are urging customers who used their credit or debit cards at these Family Dollar locations between November 27th and December 2nd to carefully review their account statements for any suspicious or unauthorized transactions. If any discrepancies are found, customers are advised to immediately contact the Cedar Rapids Police Department at 319-286-5491.
The Cedar Rapids Police Department is actively working to determine the source of the skimmers and prevent future incidents. Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, specific details regarding the device's discovery cannot be released at this time. Credit card skimmers pose a significant threat, costing American consumers and banks over a billion dollars annually, according to the FBI. Similar devices have been found in various locations, including gas station pumps, ATMs, and retail stores, across the United States.
Protecting Yourself from Credit Card Skimmers
Here are some tips to help protect yourself from credit card skimmers:
- Carefully inspect card readers before using them. Look for anything that seems loose, damaged, or out of place.
- Wiggle the card reader. If it feels loose, it may have been tampered with.
- Cover the keypad when entering your PIN.
- Regularly monitor your bank and credit card statements for unauthorized transactions.
- Consider using mobile payment options like Apple Pay or Google Pay, which are generally more secure.
The Cedar Rapids Police Department investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information related to the credit card skimmers is encouraged to contact the authorities.