 TITLE: How Does Identity Theft Happen? CONTENT: Compromised Card Readers\n------------------------\nWhether you're at the fuel pump or withdrawing cash from an ATM, your credit or debit card could be at risk. Identity thieves place a device over the card reader called a skimmer or shimmer that can read your credit or debit card information, either from the magnetic strip on the back of your card or the chip on the front.\nWith this information, they can create a fake credit or debit card and use it in situations where the merchant won't ask for a CVV code, expiration date or PIN.\nTo avoid these illegal card readers, check the gas pump or ATM terminal to see if anything looks off. The skimmer or shimmer will likely be made of a different material or be a different color, making it easy to spot. Also, the owner of the machine may add a tamper-free seal that you can check.\nIf you're not sure, go inside the gas station to pay or get your cash at the teller counter of your local bank branch. END