Card Skimming
The installation of a covert device on an ATM, payment terminal, or fuel pump to capture the magnetic stripe data and PIN from victims' payment cards.
Also known as: ATM skimming, point-of-sale skimming, fuel pump skimming
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Card skimmers are physical devices fitted over or inside legitimate card readers. When a victim inserts their card, the skimmer reads and stores the magnetic stripe data. A separate hidden camera, false PIN pad overlay, or wireless transmitter captures the PIN. Together, these allow criminals to clone the card and make ATM withdrawals or card-present purchases.
Skimming devices are increasingly sophisticated and difficult to spot, especially when installed inside a machine by an insider. Tap-to-pay (NFC/contactless) and EMV chip transactions are significantly harder to skim than magnetic stripe swipes, which is why fraudsters often use machines or regions where older technology is prevalent.
Before using an ATM or outdoor payment terminal, check for anything loose or unusually thick on the card slot. Prefer contactless payments where available, and monitor card statements regularly for small test transactions that precede larger fraudulent charges.
Examples
- A thin overlay is fitted to an ATM's card slot that reads stripe data while a micro-camera above the keypad captures PINs.
- A skimmer inside a petrol station payment terminal records hundreds of card details before discovery.