According to Connie Thompson of KOMO News, high-tech “sniffer” technology may be behind much of the credit and debit card fraud happening on Seattle’s Capitol Hill in recent days.

Sniffers, writes Thompson, are malware used to “intercept customer card information between the point of sale and the processing company.” This technology is particularly targeted at business with “inadequate anti-virus protection.”

If you’ve used your debit or credit card on Capitol Hill in recent weeks, you should take care to monitor your accounts and check your statements carefully against your receipts. If you suspect your card or account has been compromised, you should contact your financial institution immediately, as well as the Seattle Police Department.

Thompson warns that scammers may make an initial small purchase to ensure that the card information works, so if you find anything on your statement that you don’t recognize, contact the authorities immediately.

For more information, read the entire text of Connie Thompson’s article here.

Filed under: Captain Safety! by admin