The next time you load up on your Metrocard at one of the machines you might want to take a closer look. Jacki Bryk has the reason why your next refill could give thieves access to your credit cards.
Episode Transcript:
JACKI: They say life’s all about the journey, but a recent trip on the subway might have caused you. A skimmer and mounted video camera was found late Wednesday night at a Metro card vending machine at Columbus Circle. Those who bought or refilled their card at that station might want to check with their credit card companies.
EDWEENA: It’s terrible thing, the MTA should make it more safer for us to use our credit cards and debit cards especially since we have to use a Metro card and there’s no token or anything like when I was young. So they should make it safer for us.
ALEX: That shouldn’t ever be a problem. It shouldn’t have happened in the first place.
JACKI: With the thieves not yet identified, Carmen Bianco the president of New York City Transit said in a statement. “We’ve already dispatched personnel to check all Metro card vending machines system wide today for other devices.” Wondering how skimming works? The credit card capture device steals information from the magnetic strip on the back of the credit and debit cards when users insert them into the machine. Then the video picks up customer zip codes or PINs as they punch them in. Together, this information can be used to manufacture a credit card and make purchase. The best way to combat this say experts is for credit cards to include security chips.
RAJ: The chip and PIN invalidates most of the problems of credit card theft and skimming. It’s not that complicated.
JACKI: The MTA is advising all subway riders to exercise caution when swiping their credit cards at any of the Metro card vending machine stations. And as always, if you see something, say something. In Columbus Circle, I’m Jacki Bryk, Columbia News Tonight.