ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PARISH, La. — The investigation into a credit card skimmer found at an area big-box store is expanding.
"This case is growing rapidly," St. John Parish Sheriff Mike Tregre said. "It looks like it's going to involve multiple jurisdictions, multiple businesses."
Credit card skimmers are devices installed on top of credit card readers to collect and steal credit card numbers. If you look closely at the register, you may be able to spot the device.
Sheriff Tregre says the skimmers are sophisticated and easy to miss. "When you're going to use one of these devices, if you can touch it, look at it. There's normally a lane or overlapping type of device on top of the machinery that accepts your credit card. Just try to check best you can," he said.
On October 31, the St. John Parish Sheriff's office received a report that a skimmer device was found on a self-checkout machine at the Walmart in LaPlace. When Parish detectives reviewed surveillance footage, they found video of a person attaching the device to the register.
Two of the suspects were identified, and one is now in custody. Tregre says other arrests are pending.
His advice to shoppers? Exercise caution. "We're going to ask citizens to frequently check their banking statements. If you make a purchase, maybe you can see that purchase very quickly on your phone. If you see something unauthorized, you need to know where you last used your credit card. Keep track of that," he said.
NOPD is also investigating similar incidents. Anyone who believes they are a skimming victim should contact their local police department immediately.
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