CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. (WFXR)- The Christiansburg Police Department has issued a warning to residents after a card skimming device was discovered at a local business.
According to the department’s social media post, there have been numerous reports of fraudulent activity. The target, mostly EBT (Electronic Benefit Transfer) cards.
CPD urges residents to take the following steps if fraudulent use of an EBT card is suspected:
- Report the occurrence to your local Department of Social Services to assist in card cancellation and reissue.
- Contact your local police department (attempt to provide locations of where the card was used)
- Upon receiving your new EBT card, please follow the Virginia Department of Social Services recommendations of locking your card when not in use.
Since 2021, EBT card holders have been a primary target of skimming groups, according to the FBI. The reason. Most of them don’t have microchips embedded. Cards with magnetic stripes only are not as secure as ones that are chip-enabled. Criminals typically withdraw EBT cash benefits shortly after the accounts are funded, according to the FBI.
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The FBI offers the following tips to help protect EBT and SNAP benefits…