Protect yourself against a debit card cloning ring for Hotspot Shield VPN

30 May 2017 · 2 min

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2:22

The Boston 25 News segment reports on a large-scale debit‑card cloning operation that spanned eight U.S. states and three countries, stealing thousands of dollars from ATM users on Massachusetts’ South Shore. The ring used skimming devices attached to the card slot to copy magnetic‑stripe data and hidden cameras to capture PINs, allowing thieves to create cloned cards and withdraw small, hard‑to‑detect amounts. Federal investigators recently unsealed an indictment against 14 members of the Hornia crew, who placed skimmers at ATMs in Quincy, Braintree, Weymouth, and Hanover. Hotspot Shield security expert Robert Siciliano explains how the devices work and offers concrete protection measures: cover the keypad while entering your PIN, regularly monitor account activity, and enroll in email or text transaction alerts so any unauthorized use can be reported to the bank immediately.

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New at 11, a major debit card cloning ring operating in 8 states and 3 countries stole thousands of dollars from people using ATMs on the South Shore. Boston 25 News reporter John Monaghan is live in Quincy at one of those ATMs tonight. And John, an expert showed you the best ways to avoid becoming a victim.
He certainly did, Mark. But first, just so viewers understand, those skimmers are normally attached to that slot where you put your ATM card. Then they copy the information off the back of that magnetic strip. That's how they make a clone of a card. And the thieves were taking out small amounts so you wouldn't notice it. Tonight we show you how to protect yourself.
And once you slide the card through, it skims the information off the back of the magnetic strip.
Hotpoint Shield security expert Robert Siciliano shows Boston 25 viewers how an ATM skimmer works. Federal investigators say a major multi-state skim scam stealing thousands from people on the South Shore was shut down.
As long as our cards still have the magnetic stripe They can still be skimmed and they can still be used fraudulently.
A federal indictment unsealed last week indicted 14 people, part of the Hornia crew, for using skimming devices at ATMs in Quincy, Braintree, Weymouth, and Hanover. A small camera to record your PIN usually accompanies the skimmer. Both are difficult to detect. So how do you protect yourself?
The best advice I have is to make sure you cover up the keypad with your other hand as you're punching in your PIN code.
Valentine, it Bobi has never been a victim, but he agrees. Of course, you have to try to find a way to protect yourself. Short of covering the PIN pad, Siciliano says be vigilant. Check your accounts and sign up for email or text alerts.
So every single time there's a transaction, you get an email or a text message alerting you to that fact. And if it's not yours, call the bank immediately. If you aren't paying attention, chances are your bank's not either, and the bad guys will get away with your money.
And no one wants that to happen, so it's especially important if your debit card is compromised to report that transaction within 2 days, or you could be responsible for what was stolen. We're live in Quincy tonight. I'm John Monaghan, Boston 25 News.