Many Americans might unknowingly fall victim to predatory scams involving skimming devices. The U.S. Secret Service reports a significant uptick in these scams, which capture account details and personal identification numbers from bank and government benefit cards. These devices can be quickly installed on debit and credit card readers.
CBS News recently followed the Secret Service in Los Angeles as they searched for skimmers at various retailers. When installed on a card terminal or ATM, skimmers gather data with each card swipe. A wireless transmitter often sends this data directly to the scammer.
Secret Service analyst Vince Porter stated that a single skimmer could result in up to $1 million in stolen funds.
Skimmers are difficult to detect or remove, sometimes leaving residue when law enforcement extracts them. There’s no certainty about how long a device has been in use.
In 2025, the Secret Service confiscated over 400 illegal skimming apparatuses, which represent only a small portion of those that exist. CBS News uncovered 32 active federal investigations in 15 states. The increase in skimming correlates with rising financial losses, exceeding $1 billion yearly according to the Secret Service.
Special agent Michael Peck revealed that organized criminals from regions such as Eastern Europe, Asia, and Central and South America are responsible for these scams. Some criminals enter the U.S. through the U.S.-Mexico border, while others employ unconventional methods like using a Jet Ski to cross from Canada.
A “One-Stop Crime”
Stores accepting EBT cards are frequent targets. These cards, loaded with thousands of dollars from taxpayer-funded programs like food stamps, often lack tap-and-pay or chip technology. Vince Porter describes skimming as “a one-stop crime,” where victims have little chance of recovery after losing their benefits.
Mary Bowen, a mother of six, shared her experience of losing her benefits due to such a scam. “I can’t pay rent or buy groceries,” she said. “Everything was taken.”
Law enforcement’s effort included visits to 328 businesses and checks of 1,749 devices in California, seizing 16 skimmers and preventing an estimated $16.6 million in fraud loss. Similar operations occur in other U.S. cities.
Major cities like Los Angeles face a higher risk of scams. However, small towns are not immune. To reduce risk, Peck advises avoiding card swiping when possible. For those who can, using tap-and-pay proves to be the most secure option.