[SGVLUG] spotting skimmers?

[Jess Bermudes]

One of the tips I've heard for detecting these types of things is to look
at the card reader and see if it looks like there's an extra piece stuck
on. Most legit readers will be flush with the rest of the machine and will
tend to be one piece. Furthermore, there's no harm in giving the reader a
good tug if possible, the real machines are designed to be tamper-resistant
to some degree whereas the skimmers are meant to be removed.

Google searching for credit card skimmers will show some examples of what
to look out for. As a bonus you'll probably be added to some federal list!

For the sake of science, if you're ever in the area again, take a picture
of it. It'd be interesting to see if the skimmers are getting smarter,
etc., and you'll have gotten some free parts for the HAK meeting show and
tell! :-)



On Wed, Jan 30, 2013 at 10:09 AM, Rod Morison <rod at morison.biz> wrote:

> Interestingly, in my call with Paypal reversing charges, the rep said the
> biggest increase in cc theft is from thieves taking pictures of your card
> when you have it out.
>
> Curse you, hi rez, small form portable imaging.
>
>
> On 1/30/2013 9:56 AM, Rod Morison wrote:
>
>> Yup, exactly the make/model. Here's the spot on Rowena.
>> https://plus.google.com/**photos/114285934021016869863/**
>> albums/5839301031090752017?**authkey=CKrI26qTidKQswE<https://plus.google.com/photos/114285934021016869863/albums/5839301031090752017?authkey=CKrI26qTidKQswE>
>>
>> (...think i have that link so anyone can view.)
>>
>> On 1/30/2013 9:39 AM, Dan Kegel wrote:
>>
>>> On Wed, Jan 30, 2013 at 9:34 AM, Rod Morison <rod at morison.biz> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Likely yesterday my paypal card was skimmed off an LA City parking meter
>>>> swipe. Anyone got tips or sites on how to id a skimmer, esp gas &
>>>> parking
>>>> meter, and esp via rf signature? I assume skimmers use bluetooth to a
>>>> nearby
>>>> laptop.
>>>>
>>> Wow.  What kind of parking meter?
>>> One of the little ones that stands by every parking spot on the street
>>> ( http://www.backdoorla.com/**page/2/<http://www.backdoorla.com/page/2/>)?
>>> - Dan
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>
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