Secret Service checking for skimmers in Savannah

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - WTOC is getting behind-the-scenes as federal investigators try to bust scammers in Savannah.

WTOC traveled around with the Secret Service to learn more.

If you’ve inserted your credit, debit, or EBT card into a point of sales terminal, then you’re at risk of having your information stolen.

This happens through something called a skimmer, which secret service and law enforcement are going around Savannah checking different gas stations and convenience stores to see if these terminals are safe from skimmers which can steal your information.

The device is a small attachment that can be planted into a terminal within seconds.

Savannah’s Resident Agent in Charge talked about how common of an issue this is in the country.

“We know that it accounts for just in EBT fraud, a billion dollars a year. Our point is educating the retail industry. We supply them with information so they can read up on it more, they have phone numbers they can call if they discover something and they also have something they can look at and refer to,” said Resident Agent in charge of Savannah’s Resident Office, Craig Reno.

The best way for you to avoid something like this is using tap to pay if that’s available for you.