ATM and gas pump skimmers can be thwarted by Bluetooth technology and cellphones, according to a North Carolina police department.
Police in Shelby said that because some skimmers use electronic devices to record account numbers from bank cards, their activities can be detected, Fox Carolina reported.
Police said that activating a phone’s Bluetooth settings can help find skimmers. If a device with a long series of numbers or letters appears, a skimmer may be active, Fox Carolina reported.
Consumers also can detect skimmers by checking to see if an intact tamper seal is installed at the gas pump, police said. Officers said consumers should not use their cards if the seal says “void” or is removed, Fox Carolina reported.
Information recorded by skimmers can lead to identity theft or money stolen from bank accounts, police said.
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