The Grants Pass Police Department is alerting the community to an increasing number of fraudulent debit card uses in the region.
Typically, a criminal will place a "skimmer" at the location of a debit card terminal to read the digital information from the card as the victim uses it to make a purchase or withdrawal.
The criminal then imprints the stolen information onto the magnetic strip of a "dummy" card that is then used to withdraw cash as if it were the original card.
The "skimmers" are usually disguised in a way that makes them very difficult to identify.
If you come across a debit card terminal that "doesn't seem right," listen to your instincts, find a different terminal and report your suspicion to the business. Even bank ATMs and gas pumps have been targeted with "skimmers" in some places.
If you think you have been a victim of "ghost withdrawals" from your account, please gather documents from your bank and call your local law enforcement agency to report the potential fraud and theft.
GPPD officials said we don't need to live in fear, but we do need to live aware.
