cageymaru
Fully [H]
- Joined
- Apr 10, 2003
- Messages
- 22,092
The U.S. Secret Service has launched Operation Deep Impact to crack down on gas pump skimmer operations. These cyber-criminals insert an illegal card reader device into gas pumps with the intent to 'skim' the credit card numbers of unwary consumers purchasing gas. The devices use Bluetooth so the criminal never has to come back to retrieve the stolen data. The thieves use the purloined credit card credentials to purchase expensive items online or sell the numbers on the black market. The U.S. Secret Service estimates that it has prevented $6 million in damages from skimming operations this holiday season so far.
Fueling stations are a prime target for this type of crime due to the high volume of customers and the criminal's ability to install the devices and recover the stolen data undetected. Because today's gas pumps are typically unattended, developing suspects and making arrests in skimming cases is difficult, but not impossible. The Secret Service is leading the charge to protect U.S. consumers against this growing cyber-enabled financial crime.
Fueling stations are a prime target for this type of crime due to the high volume of customers and the criminal's ability to install the devices and recover the stolen data undetected. Because today's gas pumps are typically unattended, developing suspects and making arrests in skimming cases is difficult, but not impossible. The Secret Service is leading the charge to protect U.S. consumers against this growing cyber-enabled financial crime.