Skimmers:
Function: Skimmers are physical devices attached to legitimate card readers, typically at ATMs, gas pumps, or point-of-sale terminals.
Target: Skimmers steal data from the magnetic stripe on the back of your card. This data can then be copied onto a counterfeit card and used to make fraudulent purchases.
Identification: Skimmers might be noticeable if they are poorly made or bulky. You can check for loose parts around the card slot, bulging card readers, or anything that looks out of place.
Shimmers:
Function: Shimmers are even thinner electronic devices inserted inside the card reader. They're much harder to detect.
Target: Shimmers can capture data from both the magnetic stripe and the EMV chip in your card. The EMV chip offers more security than the magnetic stripe, but shimmers can bypass those protections.
Identification: Shimmers are very difficult for the average person to spot because they are hidden inside the machine.
Below is a table summarizing the key differences:
Function: Skimmers are physical devices attached to legitimate card readers, typically at ATMs, gas pumps, or point-of-sale terminals.
Target: Skimmers steal data from the magnetic stripe on the back of your card. This data can then be copied onto a counterfeit card and used to make fraudulent purchases.
Identification: Skimmers might be noticeable if they are poorly made or bulky. You can check for loose parts around the card slot, bulging card readers, or anything that looks out of place.
Shimmers:
Function: Shimmers are even thinner electronic devices inserted inside the card reader. They're much harder to detect.
Target: Shimmers can capture data from both the magnetic stripe and the EMV chip in your card. The EMV chip offers more security than the magnetic stripe, but shimmers can bypass those protections.
Identification: Shimmers are very difficult for the average person to spot because they are hidden inside the machine.
Below is a table summarizing the key differences:
