In an effort to combat widespread card skimming, the U.S. Secret Service and local law enforcement collaborated to conduct a statewide outreach operation that involved sweeping 120 companies in Jacksonville.
Federal investigators report that con artists are now focusing on EBT funding, taking advantage of the most vulnerable populations in the country.
"The Florida Department of Agriculture and the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office collaborate with us on this operation. For us, the mission has two tiers.
Finding and removing any skimmers from petrol pumps, ATMs, and point-of-sale terminals is the first task in the mission.
In the event that one is discovered, it will be extracted and brought in for additional examination, stated Peter Andrews, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Jacksonville Field Office.
Their objective also included education as a secondary goal. "We're traveling the state raising awareness about ATM and point-of-sale skimmers by asking people, 'Have you ever seen anything like this in your store?'" Andrews questioned a Target worker.
According to Andrews, the greater the awareness among customers and businesses, the greater the likelihood of resolving this issue.
Over the past 18 months, law enforcement authorities have observed a statewide increase in skimming. Foreign criminals successfully target Electronic Benefit Transfer, or EBT, cards for individuals in need of government help.
The cards used by SNAP beneficiaries in Florida must always be swiped because there is no tap-to-pay or chip technology, which makes it simpler for thieves to take your tax money from the most vulnerable people.
"I am merely observing to determine whether there is anything that appears loose or foreign that shouldn't be on the device." Then, if there was a point-of-sale terminal, you wouldn't be able to insert this all the way, but we can also insert this skimming checking device that Target provided," Balsamo added.
Federal authorities also paid close attention to self-checkouts because thieves can easily swipe the credit card information of several victims using convenient machines.
Thirteen skimming devices in all were found throughout the state. According to the U.S. Secret Service, their removal averted a possible $1.3 million loss.
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